Pitzer, Pomona Lead in Number of Fulbright Scholarships

Pitzer and Pomona Colleges ranked first and third among U.S. bachelor's institutions in the number of prestigious Fulbright scholarships awarded to seniors graduating in 2013.

A total of 22 Pitzer students received scholarships, followed by 21 at Smith College in Massachusetts. Pomona and Oberlin College in Ohio tied at third with 16.

Other Claremont Colleges also had Fulbright scholars, including nine at Scripps, seven at Claremont McKenna and one at Harvey Mudd for a total of 55 among the institutions in the consortium.

The rankings were announced in the Chronicle of Higher Education.

"The Fulbright program was built on the idea that creating understanding through international exchange ultimately creates a more peaceful and just world," said Pitzer College President Laura Skandera Trombley. "At Pitzer, we are proud that our accomplished students are selected year after year to participate in not only a great adventure but a great mission."

Fulbright scholarships were established in 1946 through the efforts of Arkansas Senator J. William Fulbright. The program has become the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Government.

Pomona’s Class of 2013 Fulbright recipients will be conducting research all over the world, including the microbiomes of marsupials in Australia, the Bantu language Kihehe in Tanzania and water sanitation in Peru.