Tag: Eastern Michigan University

  • Senior Presidential Scholar at Eastern Michigan University Advances as Fulbright Semi-Finalist

    Rana Aabed, an Honors senior and presidential scholar, has advanced to the 2024 Fulbright competition semi-finals. The psychology major is a candidate for the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) in Turkey. The ETA initiative in Turkey strives to enhance English language programs at developing institutions all around the country.

    Aabed applied to the program in hopes of taking advantage of scholarship opportunities. These chances include promoting cultural interaction, challenging herself, improving her language abilities, and obtaining experience living and working elsewhere.

    “This experience enables applicants like me to immerse ourselves in a new culture, gain a better understanding of global perspectives, and foster cross-cultural connections.” Teaching English to Turkish kids as a US ambassador with Palestinian American heritage will be a wonderful global and collaborative experience,” Aabed remarked.

    Aabed wishes to be a school psychologist and hopes to work in a low-income district in Michigan. Her ultimate purpose is to serve her community by bringing about good change and making a difference in students’ lives. Aabed believes that teaching through the Fulbright program will benefit her future ambitions, and she hopes to be selected as a finalist and travel to Turkey.

    “The Fulbright scholarship will challenge me to step outside my comfort zone, adapt to new environments, and develop resilience and independence,” Aabed said in a statement. “Being chosen as a Fulbright scholar is a tremendous honor that I am delighted to undertake. [The scholarship] is widely recognized and can help you raise your reputation, credibility, and marketability in both academic and professional settings.”

    Anne Eisenberg, Dean of the Honors College, urged Aabed to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship. “Rana will be an extraordinary ambassador for the U.S. and the EMU,” Eisenberg stated. “She is an active and engaged learner who has demonstrated the dedication to service and leadership that we expect of our presidential scholars and Honors students in general.” She is personable, outgoing, and will make her lesson enjoyable and engaging.”

    Dr. Carla Damiano, the EMU Fulbright program advisor, guided Aabed through the selection process and gave input on her application materials. Only one of every four Fulbright applicants obtains an award, and there were roughly 1200 ETA scholarships in 2023-24.

    “Rana’s personal background and convictions make her an attractive contender. “She is highly motivated to achieve her objectives, enthusiastic, and an excellent communicator,” says Dr. Damiano.

    Aabed’s father encouraged her to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship. He taught English at the collegiate level in his home nation of Palestine before moving to the United States. Her experiences at EMU also encouraged her to apply.

    “My educational experiences at EMU have equipped me with cross-cultural communication abilities, which I intend to use if awarded the Fulbright fellowship. As a community engagement lead at the Honors College, I have had the opportunity to contact with a variety of communities in Ypsilanti. “My strong communication skills, flexibility, and leadership abilities will help supplement my work abroad,” Aabed says.

    For more information about the Fulbright Scholarship Program, contact Dr. Carla Damiano at cdamiano@emich.edu.

     

  • Eastern Michigan University Presidential Scholar Awarded Prestigious Gates Scholarship

    Eastern Michigan University Presidential Scholar Awarded Prestigious Gates Scholarship

    Anyah Johnson, an Eastern Michigan University Honors freshman, has received ten scholarships in addition to her Gates and Presidential Scholarships to help pay her studies in the EMU Aviation Flight Technology department.

    Johnson, an EMU Presidential Scholar, has made history by being the first recipient of The Gates Scholarship from Eastern Michigan University. This coveted scholarship, which is awarded to just 300 students nationwide each year from a pool of over 35,000 candidates, is a highly selective, last-dollar fellowship established for exceptional minority students who demonstrate remarkable leadership abilities. Applicants must graduate in the top 10% of their high school class and display excellent personal success skills to be considered.

    The EMU Presidential Scholarship is the University’s most distinguished grant given to eligible entering first-year students. The $100,000 award provides full tuition, fees, and room and board for four years. Johnson’s flight training will be covered by the Gates Scholarship, which is expected to cost $80,000 over four years.

    “Together, the Gates Foundation and Eastern Michigan’s Honors College have given me a chance a majority of economically disadvantaged scholars do not have: a debt-free college degree and, in particular, one that will allow me to become a pilot,” said Johnson. “I am grateful that I will not join the 45 million Americans paying student loans well past the obtention of their degree.”

    She added, “My first couple of months here at Eastern have shown me how magnetic the aerospace field is. I am excited to be part of a program that provides exceptional flight training for pilots. The Honors College also contributed to my decision to attend Eastern. Before stepping foot on campus, I already saw how geared the program is toward the success of its students. Being a Presidential Scholar provides the presence of intelligent, like-minded peers, many of whom I consider friends.”

    Fewer than 5% of all pilots are women, 2.6% are Black, and 0.1% are Black and female. Johnson is proud to have the opportunity to increase the number of Black, female pilots in the U.S.

    “I have been blessed with a village of people pushing for my success. My late sister encouraged me to pursue my education to the fullest extent back when I was in middle school, and I have applied myself as an academic weapon ever since,” stated Johnson. “The faculty and staff at William H. Spencer High School in Columbus, Georgia, pushed me to my fullest capabilities and encouraged me to strive to reach my dreams. Now the Gates Foundation and EMU are ensuring the future I envision.”

  • U.S.: Eastern Michigan Football Player Gives His Scholarship to Teammate Who Was Donating His Plasma to Afford School

    U.S.: Eastern Michigan Football Player Gives His Scholarship to Teammate Who Was Donating His Plasma to Afford School

    After teammate Brian Dooley gave up his own free ride, the Eastern Michigan University offensive lineman, who joined the team as a walk-on in 2019 and has worked odd jobs throughout college, was surprised with a full scholarship.

     

    Last week, EMU’s head coach, Chris Creighton, made a surprise statement.

    “We’re at 85 scholarships,” Creighton shared in a speech to his team, seen in a video that’s since gone viral. “And no matter how many times or how many years I go to the NCAA and say … ‘Man, we need 86, and is there any way that we can have an exception to this deal,’ the answer is no.”

     

    But, according to the school publication The Eastern Echo, Dooley had a plan for his fellow lineman, whom he considers a member of his family.

     

    The graduate student, who is two classes short of completing his advanced degree, informed his coach that he was willing to forego his scholarship in order to help Conti.

    “I’ve never heard, I’ve never seen anything like that before,” Creighton said about first learning Dooley’s plan.

    In the video, Dooley and Conti hug following the announcement, while the rest of the team shouts and mobs them.

     

    Conti was overwhelmed as word circulated about his teammate’s selfless play, Dooley said at a press conference on Tuesday.

     

    However, in a video provided by the university with ABC News, it is evident that he appreciated Dooley’s gesture.

     

    “Football is something I really love, so ever since I got to school, I’ve had to do whatever it takes to stay here and stay in a good position with academics and football and everything,” Conti said. “So I work a landscaping job and I rip out carpets and I demo tile floors whenever I’m not working or not doing football or going to school. It’s been a grind my whole life but, I mean, when you really want something, it’s like you do what you need to do to keep it going.”

    As for Dooley, he’s happy to have made a difference.

    “I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” Dooley said, per EMU’s newspaper. “If it helps him more then by all means, I’m gonna give it to him and hopefully I can later down the road help him out even more.”