Two Drury Students Win Study Abroad Scholarships

Avery Chappell and Mackenzie Richardson are heading to Europe this year with full support from the U.S. Department of State after winning competitive Gilman Scholarships.

Chappell, a sophomore marketing major and women's golf team member from Cassville, Missouri, received $2,500 to study Mediterranean history and Ancient Greek culture in Greece this summer. She plans to use what she learns about cross-cultural engagement to make more inclusive business decisions in her future career.

Richardson, a senior from Ozark, Missouri, earned $3,000 to spend a month in Rome studying three major world religions: Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam. As a medieval studies scholar, she'll also dive into Rome's historical artifacts and monuments while completing an independent research project.

Both students attend Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, which has now produced 12 Gilman Scholarship winners since 2022. That success rate reflects the quality of students applying and the university's commitment to preparing them for global citizenship.

The Gilman program specifically supports undergraduate students with financial need who might not otherwise afford study abroad experiences. Since Congress created the program in 2001, it has awarded more than 50,000 scholarships through the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The Ripple Effect

When students like Chappell and Richardson return from overseas, they bring more than memories. They bring fresh perspectives that benefit their entire campus community.

Dr. Shelley Wolbrink, Drury's professor of history and fellow for national scholarships, emphasized this point. "Their travel experiences will enhance intercultural understanding both overseas and when they are back on campus," she said.

The program requires recipients to design service projects, ensuring their experiences create positive impact beyond personal growth. These projects help spread cultural knowledge and global awareness to classmates who may never travel abroad.

Two more students are getting the chance to see the world and bring those lessons home.