Ellen Coyne of Stony Point Awarded Fulbright Scholarship

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University of Scranton graduate Ellen Coyne was awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to South Korea

SCRANTON, PA (06/14/2012)(readMedia)-- Ellen (Maggie) Coyne of Stony Point was among the four University of Scranton graduates awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarships for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Members of the University's class of 2012 earning Fulbright scholarships are: Coyne, who won a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to South Korea, and Kathleen Lavelle of Avoca, Pa., who won a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship to Spain. In addition, Anna DiColli, a graduate of the University's class of 2010 from Broomall, Pa., was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in Public Health to Spain. Class of 2010 graduate C.J. Libassi, a native of Dalton, Pa., now residing in Washington, D.C., won a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship to Spain.

The scholarships were announced recently by the United States Department of the State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. The four were selected from a pool of more than 9,000 applicants.

"The Fulbright scholarship is the U.S. government's premier scholarship program for overseas graduate study, research, teaching and volunteer work," said Susan Trussler, Ph.D., Fulbright program advisor and associate professor of economics/finance at The University of Scranton. "These students are outstanding not only in their academic and research credentials, but in their longstanding commitment to service, which each intends to continue as Fulbright scholars in their host country."

Since 1972, a total of 138 University of Scranton graduates have received grants in the competitions administered by the Institute of International Education. For seven consecutive years, The Chronicle of Higher Education has listed The University of Scranton among the "top producers" of Fulbright awards for American students.

An early childhood and elementary education major, Coyne earned a bachelor's degree, magna cum laude, from The University of Scranton. She received the Excellence in Early Childhood and Elementary Education Award at commencement.

Soon, she will teach English in an elementary school and volunteer in South Korea.

Coyne is honored to have been chosen as a 2012-2013 Fulbright grantee and is eager to represent the U.S. abroad through her work and studies. A self-described lifelong athlete, she plans to integrate her love for sports into her learning experience in South Korea.

"I relish the opportunity to further develop my skills in Korea while immersing myself into the vastly different culture," said Coyne, who, in addition to high school athletic teams, participated in the Ultimate Frisbee Club for all four years at the University. She intends to become involved with youth sports by coaching track, volleyball or basketball.

In addition to athletics, Coyne intends to become involved with organizations serving those with special needs.

Her teaching experience is extensive. Coyne has logged many hours of student teaching, tutoring and classroom observation. Further enhancing her educational background, Coyne served as the chapter president of the Council for Exceptional Children, working with children with disabilities, and as chapter treasurer of the Association for Childhood Education International, promoting educational and developmental programs.

Other activities include Leaders for a Brighter Scranton, a club that works to instill Jesuit ideals into students, and of which Coyne is a founding member. She has served in a leadership capacity on University Ministries' retreats and has worked off campus as a mother's helper, providing care to several young children.

A dean's list student at the University, Coyne is a member of Kappa Delta Pi (the international honor society for education).

Upon her return to the states, Coyne plans to obtain her master's degree in special education, while pursuing a career teaching children with special needs under the age of three. She intends to take advantage of the opportunity afforded by the Fulbright scholarship to bring diversity and multiculturalism to her future classrooms.

"The experience would make me a culturally competent and globally aware educator," said Coyne.

A native of Stony Point, N.Y., Coyne is a graduate of Albertus Magnus High School, Bardonia, N.Y., and is the daughter of Ellen and Matthew Coyne of Stony Point.

The University had seven national Fulbright finalists for 2012-2013, three of whom were awarded scholarships and one graduate, Nicole Linko of Lake Ariel, Pa., being selected as an alternate to Estonia and still awaiting final designation. While working in Maryland, Libassi applied for his Fulbright "at large."