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.
May 23, 2025
Derek Dannaldson Named Boren Award Recipient
Story by Logan Jackson Published on May 23, 2025 The Boren Awards give undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity – and funding – to pursue a wide range of critical languages, such as Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian or Swahili. It’s an award that caught the interest of Derek Dannaldson last year. He worked with the Mizzou Office of Global and National Fellowships to craft an application and was named an alternate. Derek Dannaldson Dannaldson made the decision to apply for the scholarship again this year. While he was originally named an alternate, he was recently promoted to a recipient.
May 13, 2025
Multiple Mizzou Students Receive Gilman Scholarship
Story by Logan Jackson Published on May 13, 2025 Fifteen University of Missouri students will have the opportunity to travel overseas after receiving the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship this spring. The scholarship enables students with financial barriers to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to U.S. security and economic prosperity. “The Gilman Scholarship is a terrific opportunity for students to take their college experience to the next level,” said Erik Potter, program manager for the Mizzou Office of Global and National Fellowships. “Even more, all of the students who worked on their…
April 28, 2025
Emma Nicoson Named American-Scandinavian Foundation Fellow
Emma Nicoson’s friend, Aaron See (pictured left), learned he was suffering from retinitis pigmentosa in his mid-20s. Their discussions led Nicoson to begin research focused on improving accessibility and inclusion for the blind and visually impaired within the field of fashion. Photo courtesy of Emma Nicoson. Story by Logan Jackson Published on April 28, 2025 In his mid-20s, one of Emma Nicoson’s best friends learned that he was suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, a rare and progressive eye disease that leads to the deterioration of the retinas. A simple request from that friend made Nicoson come to an important realization. “My…
April 9, 2025
Two Tigers Earn Fulbright Canada-Mitacs Globalink Research Internship
Story by Logan Jackson Published on April 9, 2025 Two University of Missouri juniors – Sophia McCann and Gabriella Ramirez – recently earned the Fulbright Canada-Mitacs Globalink Research Internship. The award is offered through the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States (Fulbright Canada) and is designed for students from the U.S. who are interested in traveling to Canada to participate in advanced research projects in their interest areas. McCann and Ramirez are both pursuing the Honors Certificate at Mizzou. “The Mitacs Globalink application pushes Mizzou students to look at their research interests from a different cultural…
April 9, 2025
Multiple Mizzou Students and Alumni Honored by the National Science Foundation
Jordan Chiantelli-Mosebach Emma McDougal Marissa Moore Ruth Williamson Sam Yanders Story by Logan Jackson Published on April 9, 2025 Each year, the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) Program recognizes and supports 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 fellowship includes three years of financial support including an annual stipend of $37,000. This year, four Mizzou undergraduate students and one alumnus were selected for the program, with another 14 students with Mizzou ties given honorable mention. “It’s inspiring to see the commitment of Mizzou…
April 7, 2025
Mizzou Undergraduate, Alum Awarded Critical Language Scholarship
Junior Rachel Mueller (left) and alum Colton Sharp were both awarded the Critical Language Scholarship. Story by Logan Jackson Published on April 7, 2025 Each year, the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) – which is granted by the U.S. Department of the State – allows students from across the country to spend up to 10 weeks abroad, where they study one of 12 critical languages. This year, two of those students will be University of Missouri Tigers. Junior Rachel Mueller and alum Colton Sharp were selected for the award and both will study Korean. Mizzou also had six alternates, including an…
April 4, 2025
Three Mizzou Students Earn Goldwater Scholarships
Story by Logan Jackson Published on April 4, 2025 Three University of Missouri undergraduate students have received the Goldwater Scholarship, one of the most prestigious national scholarships in natural sciences, engineering and mathematics in the United States. Juniors Carissa Bersche (biochemistry), Miles Farmer (computer science and mathematics) and Rachel Weber (biochemistry) are among the 441 recipients, coming from a pool of more than 5,000 college sophomores and juniors. All three students are pursuing the Honors Certificate at Mizzou. “We had 15 excellent undergraduate researchers apply for the Goldwater Scholarship this year, which is a testament to the enthusiasm and quality…
March 14, 2025
MU Excels Celebrates Fellowship Mentors, Applicants
Jacqueline Limberg was one of two mentors recognized with the Ann K. Covington Award. This prestigious award honors faculty and staff who continue Covington’s legacy of student mentorship. She was nominated by Samuel Martin, senior biological sciences major. Story and photos by Logan Jackson Published on March 14, 2025 University of Missouri students pursue a variety of nationally competitive grants, scholarships and fellowships throughout the academic year – but they don’t do so alone. In addition to their faculty mentors, the Mizzou Office of Global and National Fellowships aids students during the application journey as they navigate the various requirements, all…
March 13, 2025
A Heart for Helping Others
Story by Logan Jackson Published on March 13, 2025 When Josh Donaldson was recently named a finalist for the Truman Scholarship, he said he was flooded with a variety of emotions, including feelings of excitement and gratitude. Donaldson added that he couldn’t help but reflect on a specific conversation he had with the University of Missouri Office of Global and National Fellowships as a freshman. Josh Donaldson, a junior biological engineering major who is also pursuing the Honors Certificate, is a finalist for the Truman Scholarship. Photo courtesy of Josh Donalson. “I knew when I arrived at Mizzou that I…
Feb. 18, 2025
Nine Tigers Awarded Gilman Scholarships
Story by Logan Jackson Published on February 18, 2025 Nine University of Missouri students will have the opportunity to travel overseas after receiving the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The scholarship enables students with financial barriers to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to U.S. security and economic prosperity. “Gilman is a fantastic opportunity for students to take their college experience to a new level,” said Erik Potter, program manager for the MU Office of Global and National Fellowships. “Even more, all of the students who worked on their application with a fellowships…