For the sixth time in seven years, Kalamazoo College has been named a Top Producing Institution for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
The recognition, publicly unveiled today by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, was given to the colleges and universities that received the highest number of applicants selected for the 2023–24 academic year.
K can claim 11 Fulbright representatives overall, including seven who count toward U.S. Student Program numbers. Those seven place the College among the top 20 U.S. Student Program referring baccalaureate institutions in the country. K’s representatives and their host countries are Natalie Call ’23, Denmark; Samuel Kendrick ’23, Uzbekistan; Kanase Matsuzaki ’23, Jordan; Rachel Cornell ’22, Ecuador; Anna Dorniak ’20, Poland; Nat Markech ’21, South Korea; and Garrett Sander ’19, Mexico.
In addition to the seven in the U.S. Student Program, three K representatives—Vincent DeSanto ’23, Ben Flotemersch ’23 and Sean Gates ’23—were selected for an Austria U.S. Teaching Assistantship through Fulbright. Plus, Professor of English Amelia Katanski ’92 was a U.S. Scholar Program selectee who worked in Australia, where she collaborated with faculty at the University of Wollongong to develop curriculum that better prepares K students for study abroad there.
“This has been another extraordinary year for Fulbright awards at K,” President Jorge G. Gonzalez said. “Although it’s great for us, I am particularly excited about the impact that these opportunities will have on our graduates and the people from around the world who they will meet during their fellowship year.”
Many candidates apply for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program as graduating seniors, though alumni may apply as well. Graduating seniors apply through their institution. Alumni can apply as scholars through their institution or as at-large candidates. K is the only college in Michigan to earn the top producer distinction in the bachelor’s institution category.
“The College’s repeated presence on the Fulbright Top Producers list speaks to the extraordinary success K students have forging overseas connections while seeking to make a difference abroad,” Center for International Programs Executive Director Margaret Wiedenhoeft said. “Our dedicated faculty and staff will continue to empower students like this year’s honorees while ensuring K’s dedication to international immersion.”
Fulbright, the federal government’s flagship international exchange program, is funded through an annual appropriation, from the Department of State. Host institutions, participating governments, corporations, and foundations worldwide also provide direct and indirect support to the Program, which operates in more than 160 countries.
Since its inception in 1946, more than 400,000 students from a variety of backgrounds have participated in the Fulbright Program before returning home with an expanded worldview, a deeper appreciation for their host country and its people, and broader professional and personal networks.
“As a diplomat, I’m proud of the Fulbright Program because it supports changemakers and fosters global cooperation on issues of shared importance,” said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a congratulatory letter to the College. “Fulbrighters strive to make the world a better place in classrooms and countries worldwide. Kalamazoo College’s designation as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution clearly demonstrates your dedication to promoting global engagement and mutual understanding among the peoples and nations of the world.”
