The Office of International Education and Development (OIED) at Appalachian State University has announced that student Ryan Hellenbrand of Boone and alumna Megan Holt-Smith of Mount Airy have been chosen as recipients of Fulbright scholarship awards. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers fellowships for U.S. graduating college seniors, graduate students, young professionals and artists to study, conduct research and/or teach English abroad.
Hellenbrand and Holt-Smith are among over 1,900 U.S. citizens selected for the 2017-18 academic year. Recipients of Fulbright awards are chosen on the basis of academic and professional achievement as well as record of service and leadership potential in their respective fields.
They were among eight Appalachian students who applied for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards, with five being chosen as semi-finalists.