Iowa State named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University is among the U.S. colleges and universities that produced the most Fulbright U.S. Scholars for 2020-21, as announced by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. The annual list appears in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Six Iowa State scholars were offered Fulbright Awards for 2020-21.

“The hallmark of an Iowa State education is a unique combination of practical and critical thinking skills that prepare students for success long after their time on campus has ended,” said Senior Vice President and Provost Jonathan Wickert. “In today’s global society, the ability to learn from the international experiences of our faculty has never been more important.”

Iowa State’s Fulbright Scholars for 2020-21 include:

  • Carol Chapelle, Distinguished Professor of English. Host institution: Carleton University.
  • Johnny DiBlasi, assistant professor of art and visual culture. Host institution: Museums-Quartier Vienna.
  • Elizabeth Elmi, former lecturer in music and theatre. Host institution: University of Basilicata.
  • David Jiles, Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Host institution: Indian Institute of Technology.
  • Joanne Marshall, associate professor in the School of Education. Host institution: University of Namibia.
  • Ellen McKinney, associate professor of apparel, events and hospitality management. Host institution: Bunka Gakuen University.

The Fulbright Program was created to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Fulbright is the world’s largest and most diverse international educational exchange program. The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. 

2021 marks the 75th anniversary of the Fulbright Program. Since its inception in 1946, over 400,000 people from all backgrounds – recent university graduates, teachers, scientists and researchers, artists, and more – have participated in the Fulbright Program. Fulbright alumni include 60 Nobel Laureates, 88 Pulitzer Prize winners, 75 MacArthur Fellows and thousands of leaders across the private, public and nonprofit sectors. Fulbright is active in more than 160 countries throughout the world.