27 WKU students were recognized by the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad in the March 2020 application cycle. 26 WKU students—more than any other university in Kentucky—were offered scholarships totaling $95,000, and an additional student was designated an alternate. They were selected from nearly 7,000 applications for this cycle.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the operations of the scholarship program and the study abroad programs it funds. Recipients whose study abroad plans were interrupted by travel restrictions are able to defer awards to programs starting between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, 2021 or apply funding to virtual international opportunities that are credit-bearing.
One of them is Alexis Watkins of Auburn, who is the daughter of Chad Watkins and Tonya Yates. Before COVID-19 disruptions, she planned to study in Ireland in summer 2020. After completing her degree in nursing, she will pursue a career in women’s health and hopes to become a Certified Nurse Midwife.
Another is Ralphy Gardner of Todd County, who is the son of Michael and Kumiko Gardner. He will study at the University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom in spring 2021. With majors in criminology and forensic psychology with a minor in Arabic, he is pursuing a federal law enforcement career with the FBI or another agency.
Watkins is shown second from the right on the bottom of the composite picture above. The entire list:
(First row from left: Jada Barnett, Emma Bell, Ralphy Gardner of Todd County, Summer Gary, Calen Gill. Second row from left: Michaela Goodrum of Franklin, Alyssa Gordon, Morgan Hershey, Annalee Hubbs, Natalie Keyes. Third row from left: Anna Kimmell, Gabrielle Krumpelman, Felicia McCroskey, Adam Miles, Daniel Nausa. Fourth row from left: Mary Osborne, Mia Pardieu, Fallon Russell of Franklin, Timious Scott, Catherine Sheffield. Fifth row from left: Lindy Sipes, Madison Thompson, Chase Waters, Alexis Watkins of Auburn, Avery Wilmurth. Two additional recipients are not pictured.)