The Fulbright Peace Fountain – University of Arkansas Campus (Fayetteville)
The Fulbright Association is made up of alumni and supporters of the Fulbright Scholarship Program. We share the common experience of having developed friendships in nations around the world. The Fulbright Program is known as the flagship US government initiative to promote peace and understanding through international educational exchange. In Arkansas, we have many Fulbright alumni and Fulbright scholars from around the world at our universities and research centers.
One of the goals of the Arkansas Fulbright Association Chapter is to connect Fulbright alumni to share experiences with each other and to connect the alumni with current visiting Fulbrighters from other countries. We will be using the Arkansas Fulbright Association Chapter web site as our main means of communication for Chapter activities for Fulbright Association members and current Fulbrighters to meet and interact.
Fulbright Chronicles
Fulbright Prize 2024
Arkansas Chapter FA Treasurer DeDe Long attended the 2024 Fulbright Prize ceremony. This year’s prize went to Gary White and Matt Damon for their work in making water more available in developing nations. For more information, see https://fulbright.org/programs/prize/.
Matt Damon and Gary White of Water.org visit a village in India. Gary White (left) and Matt Damon (right), co-founders of Water.org, a global nonprofit organization working to bring water and sanitation to the world, meet with beneficiaries in India. Starting in 2008 through their Commitment to Action, the PepsiCo Foundation and Water.org worked together to bring people in India access to clean water and sanitary toilets. Photo courtesy of Water.org. (2009)
Clinton Presidential Center Presents “Václav Havel at the White House”
Veronika Brázdilová, a Fulbright Scholar was on a panel to discuss Clinton Presidential Center Presents “Václav Havel at the White House”. The event — which can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYz32fH7kfE&t=1076s — was attended by several Central Arkansas FA members. Shown in the photograph below are Veronika Brázdilová, Henry Sirgo, Mariofanna Milanova, and Glen Harrison.
Nan Rides for Fulbright: An Update
Almost halfway through her journey, Nan McEntire is going strong on her “Ride for Fulbright“. After completing over 1320 miles, Nan is currently in Kansas and making her way through the Midwest.
Nan’s route across America
Officially departing on May 12th, the first mission of Nan’s journey was making it through California. She enjoyed seeing a traditional dipping wheel in the Pacific Ocean on Manhattan Beach, and struggled through a gale of strong winds in Palm Springs. “The wind was constant at about 30 miles per hour,” she reports. “I don’t weigh that much, and I about got blown off the bike!” Nan stayed resolute and made it through.
Nan is riding to raise awareness and donations for the Fulbright Association, and what better way to keep true to her mission than by meeting Fulbrighters along the way? In Los Angeles, Nan was able to meet with Greater LA Chapter Vice President Jalal Awan, who treated her to dinner and presented her with a bouquet of flowers for good luck. (Nan hopes to meet Jalal’s sister as well when she gets to Kansas!) In Arizona, she met Fulbrighters Rick Szal and Nancy Currey, board leaders from the local Chapter. Nan has been grateful from the warm hospitality she has received from the Fulbright community. The opportunity to talk about Fulbright, travel, international issues, as well as share stories, breaks up the long journey and keeps her goal front and center. A Chapter president herself, the bike ride is an exciting, if unusual, chance to network with other local associations!
The Fulbright Association is so grateful for Nan’s “Ride for Fulbright” and all the support we have received so far. Fulbrighters from all corners of the network have shared words of encouragement.
“Great cause,” says John Sherwood. “Keep pedaling your velo, fahrrad, bicicletta, велосипед, 自行车, or whatever language is spoken in the countries Fulbrighters come from or travel to.”
Renee Cooper commented, “Thank you Nan for continuing the FULBRIGHT mission! As a 2013 Fulbright Lecturer Scholar I share your sentiments and passion! #StandForFulbright #Fulbright #FulbrightGNY. Ride on!!!”
“Representatives of the Greater Pittsburgh Area Chapter of the Fulbright Association are hoping to catch up with Nan in Niles, OH in mid-June,” wrote Chapter president Timothy Austin. “Looking forward to cheering you on!”
On behalf of the Fulbright Association office in DC, we would like to join the chorus and give a heartfelt “Go Nan!” If you would like to make a pledge for Nan or leave your own words of encouragement, click here.
–Alison Aadland
Fulbright Advocacy Meetings for 2024
Focus on Advocacy in the Arkansas Offices of U.S. Congressmen
District 1, Rick Crawford’s Office (Jonesboro): (L-R) Jackie McBride, Professor of Education at Arkansas State University; Charles Landrum, Director of Grants and Community Management for Rep. Crawford; Glen Harrison, Arkansas Chapter FA President
District 2, French Hill’s Office (Little Rock): (L-R) Mariofanna Milanova, Department of Computer Science at University of Arkansas Little Rock; Raegan Sharp, District Representative for Rep. Hill; Veronika Brázdilová, Fulbright Scholar from the Czech Republic; Hunter Sadler, Director of Constituent Services for Rep. Hill; Glen Harrison, Arkansas Chapter FA President.
District 3, Steve Womack’s Office (Fayetteville): (L-R) DeDe Long; Veronika Brázdilová (Czech Republic); Maria Lopez Rojas (Costa Rica); Jordan Hale, Field Director for Rep. Womack. Meeting at the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange on the University of Arkansas campus.
District 4, Bruce Westerman’s Office (Hot Springs): (L-R) Henry Sirgo, Department of Political Science at McNeese University, emeritus; Cody Burkham, District Director for Rep. Westerman; Pamela Moore, Associate Dean for Global Engagement, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff; Glen Harrison, Arkansas Chapter FA President.