Fifteen Loyola students win Gilman Scholarships to study abroad

Fifteen Loyola University Maryland students have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship during the 2021-22 academic year—a record for the University.

“Loyola University Maryland is proud of our 15 Gilman scholarship winners, who are all very gifted and dedicated students,” said Terre Ryan, Ph.D., associate professor of writing and director of National Fellowships at Loyola, who provides mentorship for Gilman Scholarship applicants. “The honorees are well-deserving of this extraordinary opportunity to study abroad, gain perspectives of diverse cultures, and grow as Ignatian citizens ready to serve in this ever-changing world.”

The Gilman Scholarship awardees include:

• Esther Agyeman Badu, ’23, interdisciplinary major in information systems and data analytics; destination: Auckland, New Zealand, in Fall 2022
• Avinash “Avi” Ali, ’23, finance major with a minor in political science; destination: Paris, France, in May 2022
• Louis Cuoco, ’24, business economics and finance double major with a minor in Spanish; destination: Alcalá de Henares, Spain, in Fall 2022
• Dulce Diaz-Alvarenga,’23, history major with a minor in Latin American and Latino Studies
• Sophie Ernst, ’24, Forensic Studies major; destination: Thailand in Fall 2022
• Olivia Howley, ’24, Global Studies major with minors in Asian Studies and Chinese; destination: Singapore in Fall 2022
• Hajrah Jalil, ’23, political science major with a minor in environmental and sustainability studies; destination: Dubai, UAE, in Spring 2022
• Nevaeh Lopez, ’24, Global Studies major with minors in Asian Studies and Gender & Sexuality Studies; destination: Hirakata, Japan, for the 2022-23 academic year
• Meredith Lyttle, ’24, speech-language-hearing sciences major; destination: Copenhagen, Denmark, in Fall 2022
• Jack McCormick, ’23, theology major with a minor in business; destination: Amsterdam, Netherlands, in Spring 2022
• Jenna Miller, ’23, writing major with a theater minor
• Ifeoluwa (Ifey) Olukemi, ’23, interdisciplinary major in philosophy and psychology; destination: South Africa in Fall 2022
• Julia D. Smith, ’24, speech-language-hearing science major with a minor in special education; destination: Cork, Ireland, in Spring 2023
• Greer Soles, ’23, business administration major with a focus in marketing
• April Varela, ’24, international business major; destination: Madrid, Spain, in Spring 2023

Each of the Loyola students has expressed the desire to live and study abroad to immerse themselves in different cultures, study other languages, and gain valuable skills and experience that will benefit their future careers.

“During my time abroad, I am most looking forward to exploring Denmark and traveling to other parts of Europe that I've always wanted to see,” said Lyttle. “A goal that I have while abroad is to experience as much as I possibly can.” 

“Studying abroad and teaching in Amsterdam during the spring semester will broaden my understanding of the world and allow me to interact with others with a whole new mindset,” McCormick said.

“This experience will teach me so much about myself and how I can be a better person in the world. I look forward to immersing myself into the Spanish culture and gaining a new perspective of the world,” said Soles.

These 15 scholarship recipients add to the growing number of Loyola students who have received the award in previous years. 

About the Gilman Scholarship:
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship eases the financial burden for exceptional U.S. undergraduate students who study or intern abroad. The Gilman International Scholarship Program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education through its office in Houston, Texas.