College of Graduate Studies recognizes Fulbright Scholars

May 4, 2012 | News, UToday
By Nicolette Jett



The University of Toledo College of Graduate Studies recognized its largest class of international graduate Fulbright Scholars with a luncheon to celebrate their contributions to campus.

Fulbright Scholars taking graduate classes at UT were recognized last week. They are, from left, Roman Madzia, Aso Rasool, Gesnita Nugraheni, Christopher Adika and Nuraksa Makodian.

The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 by the U.S. Congress as a way to help better the global understanding and appoint students as ambassadors for their respective countries. Over the years, almost 255,000 participants have had the opportunity to observe each other’s political and economic institutions, exchange ideas, and embark on cultural adventures of substance for the welfare of the world’s inhabitants.

“The Fulbright Scholars Program creates a wonderful experience for international graduate students to study and obtain graduate degrees in the United States,” said Dr. Patricia Komuniecki, vice provost for graduate affairs and dean of the College of Graduate Studies. “UT is honored to serve as host to five Fulbright Scholars from across the globe. We believe that these students are the first international Fulbrighters to pursue graduate degrees at UT.”

The Fulbright Scholars recognized last week were:

• Christopher Adika, from Kenya, doctoral student in electrical engineering, College of Engineering;

• Nuraksa Makodian, from Indonesia, doctoral student in manufacturing and technology management, College of Business and Innovation;

• Roman Madzia, from the Czech Republic, master’s/independent study in philosophy, College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences;

• Gesnita Nugraheni, from Indonesia, master’s student in pharmaceutical sciences in administrative pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; and

• Aso Rasool, from Iraq, master’s student in English, College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences.

Dr. William McMillen, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, and the graduate advisers and college associate deans for the students joined Komuniecki at the luncheon.

The Fulbright program annually awards about 1,800 student grants to international students as a way to advance their education and research in the United States. There are about 3,200 new and continuing students who are pursuing their education in the U.S.

“I am very proud of the program and pleased with the positive college campus and community outcome,” Komuniecki said. “We currently have about 10 new international Fulbright applicants for fall 2012, and I look forward to welcoming new Fulbright Scholars to UT this year.”

The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and hosted at UT by the College of Graduate Studies.

For more information, visit foreign.fulbrightonline.org.

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