Dr. Mike Sadler, professor of physics, has been selected as a Fulbright Scholar and will conduct a semester of research and lectures at the University of Tuzla in Bosnia and Herzegovina next fall.

Dr. Michael Sadler

Sadler will head to Tuzla as part of an exchange program with the university. His European counterpart, Dr. Jugoslav Stahov from Tuzla will make his 12th trip to Abilene to teach a summer session in general physics. Sadler said he hopes to learn the Bosnian language during his second Fulbright trip to Eastern Europe.

“This is actually my second Fulbright; I had one in Russia earlier,” Sadler said. “I’ve been fortunate to have two of these, and I’ve been to Bosnia before, so I know a little bit about what I’m getting into.”

The Fulbright Scholars Program offers three types of scholarships: teaching, lecturing and a combination of the two. Sadler will conduct research and lecture while in Tuzla and assist in establishing a graduate school of physics at the University of Tuzla.

Sadler and Stahov have similar areas of expertise. Both deal primarily with nuclear physics, but Stahov studies the theories of nuclear physics, while Sadler focuses more on the experimental side of the science. Dr. Rusty Towell, chair of the Department of Physics, said ACU and the University of Tuzla will benefit from the exchange of scholars.

“The plan is for him to go to Bosnia and collaborate with physicists there,” Towell said. “He’s a world expert in nuclear physics, and whenever you can bring in an expert, that benefits everyone. This is just another example of ACU’s expertise helping around the world.”

The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 by Arkansas Sen. J. William Fulbright as an organization designed to increase cooperation between the United States and other countries. Dr. Dave Merrell, professor of English and director of curriculum and advisement, serves as the campus’ Fulbright Program adviser. Merrell said the dedication of teachers like Sadler is what makes the Fulbright Program a success.

“He is a fairly sophisticated researcher in physics and has done a number of collaborative projects around the world,” Merrell said. “The best way to combat international misunderstanding is to establish an exchange of scholars, and that’s the whole gist of the program, so we can understand countries better.”

Today, the Fulbright Program operates in 155 countries and has afforded more than 300,000 people the opportunity to participate in the program, according to cies.org/Fulbright.

ACU also offers an opportunity for students to get involved; students can travel with Fulbright to either research or study in a foreign country. Merrell said the program chapter at ACU exists to help students with their applications, so they can have a chance at what he calls a great opportunity that can create tremendous long-term benefits.

“If you complete your bachelor’s with a Fulbright Scholarship, you will probably be admitted into any graduate school you want because everyone wants to have Fulbright Scholars in their department,” Merrell said.

Applications for student participation in the Fulbright Program are due during the fall semester, but Merrell said interested students should begin the application process now. Interested students should contact Merrell at merrelld@acu.edu.