May 26, 2022

Four Susquehanna University students were awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, enabling them to study in England, Germany and Italy.

Susquehanna’s Gilman scholars are:

• Madison Dennehey ’24, a neuroscience and German studies double major with a minor in the Honors Program from Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, will study psychology in Berlin, Germany.
• Alannah Morse ’24, a biology major with a minor in psychology from Everett, Pennsylvania, will study at the Sant’Anna Institute in Sorrento, Italy.
• Malaika Olaoye ’24, a creative writing and publishing and editing double major with a minor in theatre from Middletown, Pennsylvania, will study at Liverpool Hope University, England.
• Noah Trala ’24, a sports media major from Mechanicsville, Pennsylvania, will study at the University of Stirling, Scotland.

Gilman scholars gain a better understanding of other cultures, countries, languages and economies — making them better prepared to assume leadership roles within government and the private sector.

“With the support of the Gilman scholarship, I hope to further enrich my experience abroad and discover more about my capabilities as a student of science,” said Morse. “I am excited to represent Susquehanna as a leader and to return as a more versatile and knowledgeable scientist in my future career.”

Trala will study communications while in Scotland. “The experience will help me understand the differences in broadcasting and communications between Europe and the United States,” he said.

In addition to improving her German language skills, Dennehey said she is looking forward to the follow-on service program, a requirement for all Gilman alumni.

“I decided to gather information about the LGBTQ+ communities in America and Berlin and make a comparison,” Dennehey explained. “Since studying abroad is an SU requirement, some LGBTQ+ students worry about finding a location where they would feel safe, so I wanted to be able to find information to help with this.”

While in Liverpool, Olaoye hopes to lay the groundwork for a future Master of Fine Arts.

“During my study-abroad program, I can talk to professionals in my areas of interest — creative writing and publishing studies — about what options I could possibly have in England or farther abroad,” Olaoye said.

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a grant program that enables eligible U.S. students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001. Gilman scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs.

Of the total applicants across the country, only 25% of semester program applicants receive an award. More than 40 Susquehanna students have been awarded the scholarship since 2015. The university has a dedicated program in place to identify and mentor students throughout the application process for Gilman and other prestigious scholarships.