The Chronicle of Higher Education recognized the university as a top-producing Fulbright institution.

“Abilene Christian University is proud to be included on the list of U.S. colleges and universities that produced the most 2018-19 Fulbright U.S. students,” said Emerald Cassidy, director of public and media relations, in a press release.

For the 2017-2018 academic year, three ACU students were awarded the Fulbright grant, including Lindsie Lawson, Mackenzie Sanderson and Kyle Yarbrough.

Fifteen scholars at ACU have been recipients of 17 Fulbright fellowships during their academic careers, and three times there have been multiple honorees in the same year.

Schools are categorized based on their size and mission – research, master’s and bachelor’s institutions, and special-focus four-year institutions. ACU, considered a master’s institution, is ranked among schools like St. Edward’s University (seven recipients) and Florida Southern College (four recipients). Only two other institutions in Texas are recognized on the list, the University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University.

The Fulbright grant was created by Senator William Fulbright in 1946 in an effort to promote world peace after World War II. Students, faculty and staff go abroad to interact with people in other nations, and those from other countries come to the U.S. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State.

To apply for the grant, students must be graduating in the same academic year or have graduated already.

Jason Morris, dean of the Honors College and director of the Office of Major Scholarships, said his office helps students with their applications, providing advising and consulting. This year, there are four semi-finalists.

“We’re on track for another strong year,” Morris said.

Morris was the first student Fulbright recipient, first as an ETA in 2002 and again in 2009 as a faculty program. Both times he served in Hungary.

“I’ve utilized my information and my experience to help these students.”