Students of diverse backgrounds and disciplines have come through our doors. They dedicate months of time and effort into preparing for and applying to internationally and nationally competitive fellowships. Some have received awards. Some have not but learned about themselves through the process. They used the skills, knowledge and drive gained through this experience to get accepted into graduate school, Peace Corps, and other opportunities that have enriched their lives. Here are a few of their stories.
June 29, 2026
School of Visual Studies Alumna Loren Macon named Blakemore Kingfisher Fellow
Story by Don Carlos Gainey De Vejar Loren Macon, a graduating M.A. student in art history, will be heading to Seoul, South Korea, as a 2026-27 recipient of the Blakemore Kingfisher Fellowship. Blakemore Kingfisher Fellowships, granted through the Blakemore Foundation, are awarded to those who have demonstrated intent to pursue an academic career in Chinese and Korean art history before the 20th century. Fellows are granted funding for nine to 12 months of full-time intensive language study in Chinese or Korean in East Asia. The fellowship will not only support the advancement of Macon’s language skills…
May 10, 2026
Two Tigers Receive Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
Story by Logan Jackson The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors each year for leadership, public service and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship honors the legacies of Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall, whose careers had a significant impact on Native American self-governance, health care, and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources. The award requires a campus nomination and about 65 scholarships were awarded this year, including two to students from the University of Missouri. Caspar Dowdy: Junior Environmental…
May 4, 2026
Six Tigers Will Travel Abroad Through Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Story by Logan JacksonPhoto by Sam Cox Six University of Missouri students were recently selected to travel abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. The prestigious award provides scholarships for recent graduates, graduate students and young professionals to undertake research, study or teaching abroad. The program aims to promote cross-cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the United States and other countries. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold a bachelor’s degree – or the equivalent – before the start of the grant. The application process is highly competitive and involves several stages, including submitting a…
April 30, 2026
Mairi Beranek to Study Abroad Through Boren Awards
Story by Logan Jackson When Mairi Beranek transferred to the University of Missouri last fall, she immediately began looking for opportunities to expand her fluency in the Arabic language. Beranek minored in Arabic Language and Literature at the United States Air Force Academy before becoming a Tiger, and her research led her to the Boren Awards. The Boren Awards fund language-focused study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. The program gives undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to pursue a wide range of critical languages, including…
April 29, 2026
Ashley McGarrah to Travel to England Through Fulbright UK Summer Institutes Program
Story by Logan Jackson Mizzou sophomore Ashley McGarrah will explore the field of social work this summer at the University of Bristol in England through the Fulbright UK Summer Institutes program. While there, McGarrah will enroll in courses tied to various social issues taught by historians, academics and practitioners. The Fulbright UK Summer Institutes program provides undergraduate students from the United States with little or no travel experience outside of North America the opportunity to explore the culture, heritage and history of the UK while experiencing higher education at a UK university. “I was unbelievably excited…
April 27, 2026
Charlotte Spohr Selected for DAAD RISE Germany Research Internship
Story by Logan Jackson Mizzou junior Charlotte Spohr will have the opportunity to conduct meaningful research while studying abroad this summer through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) program. The internship allows undergraduate students from North American, British and Irish universities the chance to conduct research at top German colleges and research institutions. “Charlotte is an exceptional undergraduate researcher who combines intellectual curiosity with independence and initiative. As a student and scholar, she has demonstrated an impressive ability to execute experiments, master complex laboratory techniques and critically evaluate data, all…
April 13, 2026
Mizzou Scholars Earn Prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowships
Story by Logan Jackson For nearly 70 years, the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) Program has recognized and supported outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. The five-year prestigious fellowship includes three years of financial support including an annual stipend of $37,000. This year, four Mizzou undergraduate students, two graduate students and two alumni were selected for the program, with another five students with Mizzou ties given honorable mention. “Having had the joy of working with some…
April 7, 2026
Charles Wigton Receives DAAD Master Studies Scholarship
Story by Logan Jackson The German Academic Excellence Service (DAAD) Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines scholarship program provides funding for students to pursue postgraduate or master’s degrees at universities across Germany. For Charles Wigton, the award is going to allow him to be a step closer to his goal of earning a PhD in clinical psychology. “It was extremely exciting to receive the DAAD scholarship!” said Wigton, a senior psychological sciences major who is also pursuing the Honors College Certificate. “I spent a lot of time and effort working with the amazing staff in the Mizzou…
April 2, 2026
Sophie Hof Named Goldwater Scholar
Story by Logan Jackson In less than two years at the University of Missouri, Sophie Hof has developed a solid research foundation, one that she will continue to build upon as a recipient of the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship. The award is one of the most distinguished national scholarships in science, engineering and mathematics in the United States. A total of 454 Goldwater Scholarships were awarded for the 2026-27 academic year from more than 5,000 applicants. “It was incredibly exciting to be named a Goldwater Scholar and a surprise!” said Hof, a sophomore biological sciences major who…
March 31, 2026
Rachel Mueller Earns Critical Language Scholarship
Story by Logan Jackson Two years ago, Rachel Mueller spent the summer refining her Korean language skills while on vacation with her father in South Korea. She learned enough to order at a restaurant and make purchases at various stores and soon began searching for further opportunities to expand her Korean language abilities. The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) provided her that opportunity, and Mueller spent last summer in Gwangju, South Korea, through the program. She followed that work with a study abroad experience to Seoul, South Korea, and will now have the chance to return to South…