Florida State University President Richard McCullough recognized international and domestic participants of the Fulbright Program during a reception on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at the Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center.
Founded in 1946, the Fulbright Program is one of the most widely recognized international academic exchange programs. It aims to increase mutual understanding and support friendly and peaceful relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The U.S. government currently partners with more than 160 countries worldwide.
FSU has participated in the Fulbright Program since 1951 and has been among the nation’s top producers of both faculty and student awards in recent years. Last year, nine current and former FSU students earned scholarships through the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program to conduct research in places like Greece, Bulgaria, Spain and Taiwan. In addition, six FSU faculty members traveled to teach and conduct research abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program within the past year in locations like Japan, Austria, the Philippines and Kosovo.
On campus, 15 foreign students and scholars from places like Uruguay, Indonesia and Serbia are currently studying or conducting research at FSU through the Foreign Fulbright Program. Eleven students are here through the Fulbright Foreign Student Program while one is at FSU through the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program. Three researchers are here through the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program.
During his remarks, McCullough emphasized the importance of the Fulbright program as a positive way to enhance U.S diplomacy abroad by nurturing global engagement and a rich multi-cultural environment.
“This achievement is a wonderful reflection of Florida State University’s commitment to internationalization,” McCullough said.
Frank Gunderson, a professor of musicology in FSU’s College of Music, received the most prestigious appointment in the Fulbright Scholars Programs a few years ago — the Fulbright Distinguished Chair Award. This appointment brought him to Tanzania in 2021, where he spent 10 months studying the history of dance music in the East African nation.
Gunderson reflected on what peers refer to as their “Fulbright moment,” and defined it as an “experience that somehow encapsulates the essence of the Fulbright Scholar working in an international environment and can refer to insight shared, or wisdom gained from that experience.”
Amber Noor Mustafa, a doctoral student in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, also spoke at the reception. Born and raised in Pakistan, Mustafa arrived at FSU three years ago through the Fulbright Foreign Student Program to pursue a doctorate in international and multicultural education.
During her remarks, Mustafa credited FSU for creating a conducive environment where she could develop personally and professionally.
“I was pleasantly surprised at how FSU welcomed me with open arms,” she said. “The support and facilitation by the entire system here helped me utilize my true potential. There is respect for the system of merit here, which nurtures its students’ true abilities and skills.”
With her encouragement, Mustafa’s two sons are currently attending FSU — one is a graduate student, and the other is an undergraduate student.
“I lost my heart to FSU,” she said.
To learn more about the Fulbright Program at FSU, visit global.fsu.edu/fulbright-awardees.
