Four UM Students Named Boren Scholars

The awardees are Dennis Bowden, an international studies and Chinese major from Norway, Maine; Gavin Carr, a senior from Nicholasville, Kentucky, majoring in Arabic and political science; Danielle Dey, a senior international studies major from Kiln; and Sean McClellan, an international studies and Chinese major from Vancleave.

"The Boren Awards provide an unparalleled opportunity for students to shape themselves as leaders in national security and international affairs," said Whitney Dedmon-Woods, assistant director of the Office of National Scholarship Advisement. "This cohort of Boren Scholars are each particularly dedicated to cultural and linguistic engagement and to making a meaningful impact through public service.

"This award will allow them to broaden their global perspective and to serve in critical roles within the government."

Boren Scholars commit to studying critical languages and preparing for careers in national security, public service or international affairs. Recipients get to immerse themselves in the cultures of regions such as Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East.

Bowden and McClellan will have the opportunity to study Mandarin in Taiwan. Dey plans to study Korean in South Korea, and Carr will study Arabic in Morocco.

"I originally chose to study Korea due to its significance to U.S. national security," Dey said. "During my previous time in Seoul, South Korea, during my junior year, I fell in love with the city, culture, food and all the amazing experiences I had while I was there."

Dey also hopes to attend graduate school in South Korea and to one day work in the Defense Intelligence Agency as an intelligence analyst. Having a deeper understanding of the Korean language will help her toward that goal, she said.

"The program I selected, Sogang University KLEC, places a high emphasis on speaking, compared to other Korean language programs in Korea," she said. "I believe that through this program, I will be able to improve my ability to communicate more fluently in everyday life."

Carr, who hopes to one day work in the U.S. Foreign Service, found an unexpected connection between Arabic culture and his life.

"From the prevalence of religion and hospitality to feeling separated and different within their broader global or national contexts, the cultural parallels between the Arab world and the American South are incredibly apparent to me," he said. "Yet it seems that these two areas could not be more at-odds with one another."

With a more nuanced understanding of the Arabic language, Car said he hopes to be better equipped to find diplomatic solutions to issues facing both the United States and the Arab world.

"I don't believe anyone benefits from undue animosity, and I am confident that strengthening the cultural, political and economic ties between the U.S. and Arab world would help improve the lives of Americans and Arabs alike," he said.

"The experiences I will get through Boren will provide me with the tools I need to help bridge gaps between our societies."

Top: UM students (from left) Dennis Bowden, Gavin Carr, Danielle Dey and Sean McClellan have been selected for prestigious David L. Boren scholarships. The scholarships, awarded by the National Security Education Program, allow students to study abroad to master critical languages in preparation for careers in national security, public service or international affairs. Submitted photos