Roswell Student Awarded Fulbright Scholarship

Christine Helfrich from Roswell was one of a dozen students from Florida State University students to be awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarship.

Furthering her doctorate studies in marriage and family therapy, she will conduct research in the field of social work while working with youth placed in residential care in Ontario, Canada during the 2012-2013 school year.

“Our students’ success with the Fulbright program this year demonstrates Florida State University’s commitment to providing a world-class education for our undergraduate and graduate students, which prepares them to undertake a year teaching English or conducting research abroad,” said Craig Filar, director of the Office of National Fellowships at Florida State.

The Fulbright program traces its roots to 1945, when a freshman U.S. senator from Arkansas, J. William Fulbright, introduced a bill in Congress that called for the use of proceeds from the sales of surplus war property to fund the “promotion of international good will through the exchange of students in the fields of education, culture and science.” The following year, President Harry S. Truman signed the Fulbright Act into law.

Funded by a congressional appropriation, Fulbright is one of the world’s most visible and prestigious international exchange programs. Working with universities, governments and the private sector, the program seeks out individuals of achievement and potential through open, merit-based competitions.