ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan is the leading producer of Fulbright awards for American students with 37 students receiving grants for 2007-08.

“The best way for students to understand the world is by immersing themselves in different cultures and countries,” said U-M President Mary Sue Coleman. “Fulbright fellowships allow our students to continue the U-M tradition of being active players in the global community.”

Out of more than 6,000 applicants nationwide, 119 applications were submitted by U-M students. A list of grantees and their research was published in the latest issue of The Journal of the International Institute.

Other universities in the top 10 were Yale University, Brown University, Northwestern University, the University of California at Berkeley, Harvard University, Cornell University, the University of Chicago, the University of Wisconsin and Stanford University.

Fulbright Fellows undertake self-designed programs in disciplines ranging from social sciences, business, communication and performing arts, to physical sciences, engineering and education. Daniel Livesay, a graduate student in history, received a Fulbright award to continue his research in Jamaica on the personal experiences of interracial families in the 18th century British Empire. In contrast, Sean Armstrong, with a master’s degree from the School of Public Health, is going to Mongolia with the goal of increasing the community participation of rural Mongolians in wellness campaigns.

“The success of U-M students in obtaining grants through the prestigious Fulbright program is a source of great pride to the university,” said Mark Tessler, director of U-M’s International Institute and vice provost for international affairs. “This success reflects the quality of our outstanding students. It also reflects the substantial guidance and support we provide to applicants, which is an indication of Michigan’s commitment to providing our students with opportunities for an in-depth international experience.”

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is now the largest U.S. exchange program offering opportunities for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide. The program currently awards about 1,300 grants annually in all fields of study, and operates in more than 140 countries worldwide.

Fulbrights are awarded to B.S./B.A. graduates, master’s and doctoral candidates, and young professionals and artists to support graduate study or research abroad, or professional training in the creative and performing arts (administered by the Institute of International Education, with assistance to U-M students provided by the International Institute). This year’s U-M grantees are:

? Caroline Ahearn, German/education, Germany, English teaching assistantship

? Sean Armstrong, public health, Mongolia, increasing community participation in wellness campaigns for rural Mongolians

? Heather Badamo, history of art, Egypt, Among Byzantines and Muslims: Medieval Coptic Representations of Military Saints

? Matthew Bookert, music performance, Germany, practical study of German orchestral tuba playing

? Andr