For the first time at ACU, both a student and professor have received a Fulbright award.

A Fulbright U.S. Scholar award is one of the highest honors the federal government gives with regard to scholarship and international exchange.

Dr. David Dillman, professor of political science, received a teaching grant to teach in Serbia while Jennie Magner, senior art and design major from York, Nebraska, received the Fulbright Teaching Assistant grant to teach in the Czech Republic.

Dillman will be teaching American politics at the University of Belgrade for four months. With this award, living and travel expenses will be covered while also giving Dillman a salary.

“Nobody from political science has won this award,” Dillman said. “Looking at grants that were out there and the countries, I came across American politics in Serbia.”

Dillman has done research in England several different times, but never as a teacher.

“In terms of teaching, this sounded interesting and sounded like it would fit me,” Dillman said. “I thought I might have a good chance.”

Dillman said he looks forward to interacting with faculty in Serbia and their policies and their perspectives on U.S. policy.

“Part of the Fulbright deal is that you interact with people in the community,” Dillman said. “The full purpose is to develop understanding between countries and develop relationship.”

Currently, it is unknown when Dillman will be in Serbia.

“It’s either this coming fall or the spring of next year,” Dillman said. “I requested to go in the spring and they haven’t gotten back with me on that.”

Magner will represent the U.S. as a cultural ambassador, helping to build mutual understanding between Americans and the people in the Czech Republic.

Founded by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946, the Fulbright Scholarship is awarded by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Dr. Jason Morris, director of office of Major Scholarships, helped Magner apply for the award.

“The fact that we have two winners this year, one in each category is exciting,” Morris said.

More than 300,000 people have been chosen for the scholarship to teach or do research in more than 160 countries. It is not limited to only U.S. residents. Students and professor from other countries also have the opportunity to come to the U.S. as teachers, researchers and ambassadors.

Magner said she looks forward to connecting to the art community in the Czech Republic.

“I just hope to have a broader understanding of the world,” Manger said.

Magner said she applied for the award because she loves traveling and wants to get more experience before applying for graduate school.

“You learn so much about yourself, you can learn how to connect with other people, and just how much your culture affects you,” Magner said.

Magner is the third undergraduate student at ACU to receive this prestigious award.

Previous students who have received this award were, Laura Acuff for the 2011-2012 school year, in Bulgaria and Wiepie Rojas Cross for the 2013-2014 school year, in Malaysia.

Students and faculty are encouraged to apply. The Office of Major Scholarships helps provide information and support for students and faculty who apply for nationally competitive scholarships.

Contact Dr. Jason Morris for national scholarship opportunities at morrisj@acu.edu.