Westminster Student Receives Prestigious Scholarship to Study Abroad

Dallin VanLeuven awarded the Gilman Scholarship to study in Belgium

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Krista DeAngelis, (801) 832-2682

Jan. 7, 2009 
 
SALT LAKE CITY– Dallin VanLeuven, a Westminster College student, was recently awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study in Brussels, Belgium for the spring 2009 semester.

VanLeuven is one of only 600 students from throughout the country selected for the prestigious award.

The Gilman Scholarship Program offers grants for undergraduate students (U.S. citizens) of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. The program is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world. VanLeuven received $5,000 to defray eligible study abroad costs, such as tuition, room and board, books, etc.

“The scholarship's been a tremendous help to me, making this program more affordable,” he said. “The Gilman, plus the Dr. Carlos E. Casandeda Memorial Scholarship of $1,000, will substantially help me further pursue my education. The application process was a lot of work. I spent a lot of time on it, but the staff at Westminster were very helpful throughout the process.”

VanLeuven will stay in Brussels for five months studying peace and security and international relations at Vesalius College. He obtained an internship at the U.S. Embassy in the political and economic section.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship:
International experience is critically important in the educational and career development of American students, but it can also require a substantial financial investment. The Gilman Scholarship Program broadens the student population that studies abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints. The program aims to encourage students to choose non-traditional study abroad destinations, especially those outside of Western Europe and Australia. The Gilman scholarship aims to support students who have been traditionally under-represented in study abroad, including but not limited to, students with high financial need, community college students, students in under-represented fields such as the sciences and engineering, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds and students with disabilities. The program seeks to assist students from a diverse range and type of public and private institutions from all 50 states. For more information, visit www.iie.org/programs/gilman.

Westminster College:
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu.