From IUP Reporter, a monthly newsletter published by the Communications Office.

Four IUP students have been selected for a competitive international scholarship to study abroad during the spring 2008 semester.

Recipients of the Freeman Awards for Study in Asia are Chad Buckwalter, an international business and Asian studies dual major who studying at Sichuan University in China; Caitlin Howgard, an English major who is studying at Nagoya Gakuin University in Japan; Erin Knisley, an interdisciplinary fine arts major who is studying at Kansai Gaidai University in Japan; and Christopher Peperato, a business major who is studying at Sichuan University in China.

Only 500 students are chosen nationally for Freeman-ASIA, designed to support American undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study overseas in East or Southeast Asia.

The awards are funded by the Freeman Foundation through the Institute of International Education Recipients are expected to share their experiences with their home campuses to encourage study abroad in Asia by others and to spread greater understanding of Asian peoples and cultures within their home communities.

Buckwalter is also one of three IUP recipients of a Gilman International Scholarship for 2007-2008.

“The Freeman-ASIA grant is one of the most prestigious study abroad scholarships for American students, and we are extremely proud of our IUP recipients,” said Michele Petrucci, director of the IUP Office of International Affairs.