UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Tessa Sontheimer and Geoff Merz, graduates of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, have been named recipients of Fulbright Study Awards.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the largest U.S. exchange program offering opportunities for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and primary and secondary school teaching worldwide. Recipients are chosen based on academic and professional achievement, their record of service, and leadership potential.
Sontheimer and Merz, who hold bachelor’s degrees in community, environment, and development, will participate in the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant program, which places grantees in classrooms abroad to help teach English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the U.S.
“Everyone in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education is extremely proud of these students’ appointment as Fulbright scholars and for their other accomplishments, including being chosen as student marshals for commencement,” said Tim Kelsey, professor of agricultural economics and coordinator of the community, environment, and development program.
“They have been exceptional students, bringing uncommon rigor and insight to their undergraduate studies. They are exemplars of our community, environment, and development students, and we wish them all the best.”
In July, Sontheimer, a Schreyer Honors College graduate who also majored in global and international studies, will travel to Indonesia. For her, the experience will help to fulfill a family legacy of teaching, community service and entrepreneurship that are “deeply woven” in her identity.