BERRIEN SPRINGS — The U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board have announced that Vivian A. Laughlin, a May graduate of Andrews University, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to Israel in ancient near Eastern archaeology and anthropology.
Laughlin, who received her Ph.D. in archaeology, will research at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem – Institute of Archaeology as part of a post-doctoral project, “Serapis and Isis in Judea and Palestine.”
Laughlin is one of more than 800 U.S. citizens who will teach, conduct research and/or provide expertise abroad for the 2019-20 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, according to a news release.
Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected based on academic and professional achievement, as well as a record of service and demonstrated leadership in their respective fields.
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program, and is designed to build lasting connections between U.S. citizens and resident of other countries.
The program is funded through an annual appropriation made by Congress to the U.S. Department of State. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program, which operates in more than 160 countries worldwide.
Since its establishment in 1946 under legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the program has given more than 390,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.
Fulbright participants address critical global challenges in all disciplines, while building relationships, knowledge and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the United States.
Fulbright alumni have achieved distinction in many fields, including 59 who have been awarded the Nobel Prize, 84 who have received Pulitzer Prizes, and 37 who have served as a head of state or government, according to the release.