MISSOULA –

Six University of Montana students and recent graduates were awarded Fulbright U.S. Student scholarships for the 2009-2010 academic year, making it one of the most successful years on record for the prestigious awards at UM.

The Fulbright Program is the nation’s leading international exchange program, operating in more than 155 countries. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields.

UM’s 2009-2010 Fulbright Scholars, their areas of study and exchange destinations are:

• Ian Bassingthwaighte, creative writing, Egypt.

• Joshua Birchall, linguistics, Brazil.

• Sean Gibbons, energy, Sweden.

• Michael Kautz, teaching English as a foreign language, Turkey.

• Ann Piersall, geography, Kyrgyz Republic.

• Aaron Shulman, creative writing, Guatemala.

UM had four Fulbright award recipients in 2008-09 and this year’s total of six awards puts it in the company of such universities as Penn State, Rice and Vanderbilt.

The campus Fulbright committee encourages students to apply for upcoming Fulbright awards. Interested students should contact Clint Walker, Fulbright program adviser, at 406-243-2501 or clint.walker@mso.umt.edu.

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