Lawrence University honored as one of nation’s leading producers of Fulbright recipients

Lawrence University has been recognized as one of the nation’s top colleges or universities in producing Fulbright recipients.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs today named Lawrence as a Fulbright Student Top Producing Institution, the second time Lawrence has earned the prestigious honor in the past seven years. Lawrence is one of 84 institutions across the country recognized in the student category (130 when including the Scholar Program), with the list posted Feb. 25 on the Fulbright website.

Four recent graduates of Lawrence—Jonathan Bass ’24, Gunner Bauer ’23, Miri Villerius ’23, and Ayla Walther ’23—were selected for Fulbright awards for academic year 2024-25. It is the 11th time in the past 17 years that Lawrence has had multiple Fulbright recipients.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by the Fulbright Program as one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbright students,” President Laurie A. Carter said. “It is an honor that speaks to Lawrence’s rigorous education, the ability of our faculty and staff to prepare students to be competitive at the highest levels, and the commitment of our students to be engaged global citizens. Thank you to our fellowships team for their commitment to make this path possible for our students.”

Fulbright Top Producing Institutions such as Lawrence value global connection and support members of their campus communities in pursuing international opportunities. 

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program. Since 1946, it has provided more than 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work to address complex global challenges. 

In all, Lawrence has produced 67 Fulbright scholars since the program was first introduced. 

Lawrence’s 2024-25 Fulbright class includes:

• Jonathan Bass ’24, who was a double degree student in music performance (piano) and French and francophone studies. He received the Fulbright-Harriet Hale Woolley Award in the Arts to study in France. He is pursuing a graduate degree in piano performance. 
• Gunner Bauer ’23, who majored in government and Russian studies, is teaching English in Slovakia.
• Miri Villerius ’23, who was a music and religious studies double major, is teaching English in Italy.
• Ayla Walther ’23, who received her teacher certification with plans to teach German, is teaching English in Germany.

Applicants to the Fulbright at Lawrence are supported by a fellowships team led by Claire Kervin, assistant professor of English and director of fellowships advising. 

“Being named a Top Producing Fulbright Institution is an incredible honor,” Kervin said. “It recognizes Lawrentians as the remarkable individuals they are and acknowledges Lawrence’s deep commitment to international learning and student success.”

Kervin applauds the work of the Fulbright Campus Committee, which works with students and graduates in preparing for their Fulbright application. The committee has included in recent years faculty members Jason Brozek, Chloe Armstrong, Madera Allan, and Kelly Culhane, and staff member Julie Haurykiewicz.

“Becoming a Fulbright Top Producing Institution reflects the hard work of many people—not just the Fulbright awardees, but also the faculty and staff who have supported them,” she said.

That work has resulted in nine Lawrentians being named semifinalists this year. Announcements of final 2025-26 Fulbright awards are expected in the spring.

The Fulbright Program also awards grants to U.S. scholars, teachers, and faculty to conduct research and teach overseas. In 2022-23, Timothy X. Troy, the J. Thomas and Julie Esch Hurvis Professor of Theatre and Drama and professor of theatre arts, taught and did research in Ireland as a Fulbright recipient. He is the 12th Lawrence faculty member to earn a Fulbright since 1995.

Also, Cayla Rosché ’13, lecturer of music in the Conservatory, is a former Fulbright recipient who now serves as a Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador, representing the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. government. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program. 

Fulbright alumni work to make a positive impact on their communities, sectors, and the world and have included 44 heads of state or government, 62 Nobel Laureates, 90 Pulitzer Prize winners, 82 MacArthur Fellows, and countless leaders and changemakers who build mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.  

 For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit https://fulbrightprogram.org/