The Committee on Graduate Fellowships recently awarded the James B. Reynolds Scholarship to five students for a one-year foreign study program. Reynolds scholarships are awarded to seniors or recent alumni and the winners receive $14,000 to pursue either an advanced degree or a research project.
This year's winners were Mary Frances Brown '98, Kevin Findlan '99, Erin Fuse '99, Dustin Rubenstein '99 and Ellen Wight '97. The students said they were excited about the possibilities the awards bring. "It's really fantastic," Findlan said. "It gives me an opportunity to study abroad for a year in Scotland, something I've wanted to do for a long time."
Brown expressed similar sentiments. "I am thrilled. It really is a wonderful chance. I did not expect to win at all."
This year's Reynolds Scholarship winners represent a diverse set of interests. Findlan plans to master in Music in Organology in Scotland. Fuse is interested in studying Ukiyo-e wood block print-making in Japan.
Rubenstein plans to research on lekking marine iguana and polygynous mating systems in the Galpagos Islands. Wight wants to pursue a Masters degree in Migration Studies from the University of Sussex in England. Brown is combining research on the troubadour manuscripts and study of medieval French literature in Paris.
The competition for the Reynolds Scholarship was intense. Ursula Olender, the executive secretary for the Committee on Graduate Fellowships, said 30 applicants applied for five places this year. "This is slightly above average," she said.
Monika Otter, associate English professor and chair of the Reynolds Scholarship Committee, expressed difficulty in selecting the winners. "They were all extremely wonderful projects," Otter said. "We had the hardest time choosing."
Olender said "superb academics and super recommendations" are most important in the selection process. The students also need an excellent knowledge of their project and foreign language skills.
"We are also interested in a project that contributes to the community as a whole," Olender said.
Brown reiterated the need for a strong project. "You need a really good, well though-out proposal in light of your academic larger goals."
Findlan expressed some disappointment over the small number of financial opportunities that are available for graduate foreign study or research projects.
"All the students I spoke to were very good candidates," Findlan said. "Dartmouth should provide more funds and make a greater commitment to the students who are really trying."
