FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2005

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

DRAKE STUDENT RECEIVES FULBRIGHT AWARD

Drake University student Lauren Derebey has been awarded a Fulbright Award to teach English as a foreign language in South Korea. Derebey is a senior at Drake, majoring in international relations, political science and French.

"I feel very honored to have been selected and offered this tremendous experience," said Derebey, a 2001 graduate of Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake, Ill. "After having studied international relations for the past four years, I am really excited to put some of my knowledge into practice."

Derebey, who recently won Drake's Elsworth P. Woods Prize for outstanding seniors majoring in international relations, will leave for South Korea in early July. During her 13-month visit, she will teach English language courses to high school students and help them develop an understanding of American culture, society and values.

"I hope to develop a better global awareness by gaining an understanding of Korean culture, politics and economics," Derebey said. "I also hope to offer South Koreans a better understanding of the United States." She plans to educate her students using both traditional methods of reading, writing and speaking, as well as sharing with them more current cultural elements, such as magazines, music and movies.

Upon returning from South Korea, Derebey hopes to work for a few years before attending graduate school. She plans to obtain an international law degree or a master's degree in international relations.

Two students from Drake University won Fulbright Awards in 2004-05, ranking Drake as one of the top producers of Fulbright Awards for students among the nation's master's universities.

"This year we had five applicants, three finalists and one student who received a Fulbright Award," said Eleanor Zeff, Drake Fulbright program adviser and assistant professor of politics and international relations. "In the last three years, we've had a total of nine applicants and one-third of them have been accepted. We are pleased that more students are applying for the program and anticipate that our numbers will continue to improve."

- 30 -