During its most recent application cycle, WKU produced 10 Gilman scholars, the most out of any postsecondary institution in Kentucky, according to a WKU news release.
Founded in 2001, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a scholarship program aimed at increasing the number of American undergraduates studying abroad. According to a WKU news release, the rest of Kentucky’s institutions produced 13 Gilman scholars, with no more than three hailing from any single institution.
The Gilman Scholarship Program helps fund study or internship abroad programs for students with high financial need with up to $5,000 awards. In the March 2026 application cycle, the program received 12,200 applications from across the United States. According to a WKU news release, it ended up accepting 2,100 scholars, only 17% of applicants.
Earlier in March, the program recognized WKU as an all-time Top Producing Institution in celebration of its 25th anniversary. WKU was also ranked among the top 25 Gilman-producing medium-sized colleges and universities in the country.
According to a WKU news release, WKU students have earned 396 Gilman scholarships to study or intern in 43 different countries, totaling over $1,530,250.
WKU’s Gilman scholars for the March 2026 cycle, excluding one who declined to publish their information, are:
- Brianna Bennish, studying in Poland in summer 2026
- Lacy Hardin, studying in the UK in summer 2026
- Malick Ibrahim, studying and interning in Taiwan in summer 2026
- Anne Liberal, studying in Australia in winter 2027
- Marcus Lum, studying and interning in Taiwan in summer 2026
- Martha Onda, studying in South Korea and Japan in summer 2026
- Sian Pau, studying in South Korea in summer 2026
- Koe Reg, studying in South Korea in summer 2026
- Clinton Richardson, studying in Greece in summer 2026
The scholarships earned by WKU’s recipients totaled $35,500, averaging $3,550 per award. Two of the recipients earned additional funding through Critical Need Language and STEM Supplemental Awards based on their specific coursework.
90% of WKU’s most recent recipients worked with the Office of Scholar Development, which is aimed at mentoring WKU applicants for nationally competitive scholarships. Over the office’s 18 years, OSD has helped 835 WKU students submit Gilman applications.
“The Gilman Scholarship has been a cornerstone of the Office of Scholar Development’s work coaching students through nationally competitive scholarship applications since our founding in 2008,” said Dr. Melinda Grimsley, Assistant Director of OSD, in a WKU news release. “It has certainly made the biggest impact on the largest number of WKU students applying for nationally competitive awards.”
