NSU's Morgan named Brad Henry International Scholar

Danielle Morgan, a junior from Bridge Creek, has been chosen as Northeastern State University's recipient of the Brad Henry International Scholarship.

Morgan, an English education major, will be provided a $10,000 stipend by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to participate in semester-long study and research programs. She will spend the Spring 2011 semester at Swansea University in Wales, United Kingdom, and courses she takes at Swansea will transfer to NSU and count towards her degree.

I feel very honored to represent NSU in another country, said Morgan. I know that this experience will be life-changing and I'm excited to share that with our campus. I traveled to China in the summer of 2009. While I loved my time there, I am excited that Wales is going to hold an entirely different experience for me.

In 2008, Gov. Brad Henry established the Henry scholarship as an opportunity for students at regional Oklahoma universities to study abroad. A student at each regional institution is chosen to spend a semester in Wales.

Morgan learned of the Henry scholarship from a previous recipient.

I applied because Swansea University offers a unique blend of cultural enrichment and international literacy that I am looking for in a study abroad program, she said. I am planning to study the history of the English language.

Connie Henshaw, instructor of English and Morgan's academic adviser, called Morgan a shining example of the best qualities of NSU students.

"Danielle consistently presents excellent work and exhibits a voracious appetite for learning of all kinds," said Henshaw. "She has a curiosity about cultures different from her own and approaches new ideas and situations with a joyful open mind. I am confident she will be a stellar ambassador for NSU at Swansea and I am delighted she was chosen for this honor and opportunity."

The application process began with the Office of International Programs at NSU advertising the scholarship program campus-wide. Interested students submitted an application including a transcript, personal statement, resume and two letters of recommendation.

"I encourage anyone else interested to get involved with the university's international studies," said Morgan. "Otherwise, I would have never been able to experience something like this. There are so many opportunities available through NSU."

A panel of faculty and staff reviewed the applications and interviewed the top candidates. The panel ranked those interviewed and sent its nomination to NSU President Don Betz. He selected a nominee and an alternate to send to the Board of Regents for the Regional Universities of the State of Oklahoma. The board made the final selection.

For more information about NSU's Office of International Programs, call 918-444-2050 or visit the Office of International Programs website.