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Two Carnegie Mellon University Student-Athletes Receive Fulbright U.S. Grants

Two Carnegie Mellon University Student-Athletes Receive Fulbright U.S. Grants
Posted: May 22, 2015

From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics

Carnegie Mellon University women's cross country and track and field seniors Sara Kelly (Madison, Wis./West) and Erin Kiekhaefer (Palo Alto, Calif.) have been awarded prestigious Fulbright U.S. Grants. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides an unparalleled opportunity to teach, study and conduct research in 155 countries worldwide.

"We are thrilled to learn that Sara and Erin received Fulbright grants. It is a testament to the incredible success they have had during their time at Carnegie Mellon," said Director of Athletics Josh Centor. "Both Sara and Erin are talented students and athletes, and they have made quite an impact on our community. I know they will utilize this prestigious opportunity to positively influence the world."

Kelly and Kiekhaefer are two of seven recent Carnegie Mellon graduates who will be making a global impact through this year's Fulbright U.S. Student Program. In addition, one undergraduate student has been selected to attend a Fulbright Summer Institute in the United Kingdom.

Kelly graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and Engineering and Public Policy this past weekend.  She will be conducting research on optimizing biofuel production from wood and evaluating its economics at RWTH Aachen University in Germany. Kelly was also an Andrew Carnegie Society Scholar.

Kiekhaefer also graduated this past weekend, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and Hispanic Studies.  Kiekhaefer will be completing an English Teaching Assistantship in Mexico. While in Mexico, she plans to pursue a community project that combines her two passions — participating in sports and working with children.
 
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, sponsors the Fulbright U.S. Student Program to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries." It provides fellowships for U.S. graduating seniors, graduate students, young professionals and artists to study abroad for up to one academic year.