Five Howard University students, the largest for HU and for any other institution in a single year, have been named 2002-03 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellows by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation.

Since 1998, HU has had 14 Pickering Fellows, the largest of any single institution.

On behalf of the U.S. Department of State, the Wilson Foundation identifies outstanding students in this highly competitive program to train for diplomatic ser v ice careers. At the expense of the State Department, their education through undergraduate and graduate degrees is fully funded prior to their entering the Service. They also qualify for overseas internships.

The HU winners, five out of 20 selected nationwide, include two graduate students and three undergraduates.

April Wells, who earned her bachelor’s degree at Howard in May in political science; and Sadie Tucker, who finished in African Studies, are the graduate level Pickering Fellows. Wells, a native of Birmingham, Ala., will attend the University of Pennsylvania, and Tucker, Washington, D.C., native will attend Tufts.

The undergraduates, all three of whom will be in their junior year at HU in the fall, include; Charles Reynolds, political science/ finance; Deneyse Kirkpatrick, public relations; and Madelina Young, political science.

Pickering contenders must be U.S. citizens with 3.2 or higher cumulative GPA. In addition to being highly recommended by professors, they must manifest interest in FS careers and sign on for specified periods in the diplomatic service.

COMPETITION OPENS FOR 2002-03 AWARDS

Competition has opened for the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowships with an application deadline of February 2003.

These are the prestigious fellowships open to students in their junior undergraduate year and to seniors wishing to attend graduate school.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, and administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, these fellowships are valued at more than $50,000, including full tuition and mandatory fees; living stipends (room and board); books; one round trip travel during the junior and senior years of college; paid State Department summer internships in Washington and overseas; and fellowship support for master’s degree in international affairs.

Howard University students have become Foreign Affairs Fellows (as the award were previously known), more than students from anyother single institution.

continued next page >>>