Knox students studying German recently secured multiple scholarships from nationally and internationally competitive institutions, including the German Academic Exchange Service and the Gilman Award, a feat achieved through effort and collaboration. 

Kaitlyn Pierce ’24 was awarded the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD in German) award for non-German citizens to fully fund their master's program in Germany. The globally competitive program will aid Peirce in pursuing post-graduation studies in environmental policy. Pierce has also been selected as an alternate for a Fulbright Open Study/Research Award. With just 70 awards for Germany across all fields of study and every level, from undergraduate students to late-career professors, these are highly competitive and sought-after awards.

Priscilla Lagunas ’24 was accepted into the DAAD Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) program to participate in a paid summer research internship in Germany. After competing with an international cohort of applicants from the United Kingdom, Ireland, and North America, Lagunas was awarded the opportunity to intern in a computer science laboratory at the University of Kassel. 

Lauren Wittry ’24 won the Gilman Award, which supported a study abroad opportunity in Freiburg, Germany in the fall of the 2023-2024 academic year. With an acceptance of only 25%, Wittry is one of the few students in the United States to have received this acclamation. 

Alondra Damian ’24 was accepted into an internship at the University of Kassel, working for a research lab dedicated to soil biology and plant nutrition through a privately organized internship. 

With the success of this year's applications, Todd Heidt, professor of German and international studies, is excited to see what the award winners will take away from their experiences. Heidt credits interdepartmental work across campus to make these awards possible. 

“The range of awards and activities speaks to the great and interdisciplinary work Knox students do,” he said. “Faculty from multiple departments read and coached these applications to success. Staff offices like the Vovis Center, the Stellyes Center, the Bastian Center, and TRIO supported and assisted these students as well. I put these students in touch with Knox alumni to assist in mentoring them and their applications. The great part about Knox is how seamlessly all these groups work together to make sure our students get all the opportunities at their disposal.”