University of South Florida leaders, faculty members, international scholars and the wider community gathered Sept. 24 to celebrate the university’s longstanding global engagement through the Fulbright Scholars Program. The event also highlighted more than a decade of national recognition as a Top Producer of Fulbright Scholars, whose research and teaching have fostered deep global connections across the Tampa Bay region.
More than 100 people gathered at the Patel Center for Global Solutions, including members of the Mid-Florida Chapter of the Fulbright Association, for the annual event, which has become one of USF World’s most popular gatherings as a celebration of international collaboration, research and cultural understanding.
“Fulbright Scholars carry USF’s mission far beyond our campuses and they bring the world back to us through new partnerships, new perspectives and new opportunities for our students and communities,” said USF President Moez Limayem in a video message to attendees. President Limayem was the recipient of a Fulbright Administrative Scholarship who traveled to Japan in 2018 while serving as dean as the Muma College of Business.
Provost Prasant Mohapatra addresses global challenges and highlights the transformative impact of Fulbright scholars at USF.
Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean Charles Adams underscores the importance of Fulbright to the college and his academic career.
Fulbright Scholar Advisor for USF faculty members, Darlene DeMarie, recognizes Fulbright scholars at USF and the Mid-Florida region.
USF World Associate Director, Brandon McLeod, highlights the contributions of International visiting scholars at USF.
Provost Prasant Mohapatra told the gathering that international experiences are central to the university’s academic mission in addressing challenges such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, public health, environmental resilience, economic development and food security.
“The global challenges we face demand global solutions, " said USF Provost and Executive Vice President Prasant Mohapatra, whose own international engagement has involved traveling to more than 70 countries. “Our scholars are forging partnerships that accelerate discovery and create a lasting impact for communities around the globe."
“Our scholars are forging partnerships that accelerate discovery and create a lasting impact for communities around the globe." — USF Provost and Executive Vice President Prasant Mohapatra
Judy Genshaft Honors College Dean Charles Adams underscored the importance of the Fulbright Program to both the college and his own academic career when he served as a Fulbright Scholar to what was then West Germany. He said it reshaped his scholarship, expanded his international collaborations and continues to influence his work decades later.
The Honors College houses USF’s Office of National Scholars, which supports students pursuing prestigious scholarships, including Fulbright awards. Darlene DeMarie, a two-time Fulbright Scholar to Hungary and South Africa, serves as the Fulbright Scholar Advisor for USF faculty members.
USF World Associate Director for Exchanges and Scholarships Brandon McLeod, who works closely with visiting international scholars to USF, highlighted the scope of the university’s global engagement efforts. Over the past year, he said, the university hosted nearly 200 visiting scholars from 40 countries. Those scholars represented 61 academic disciplines and worked across all 12 of USF’s colleges. “Ultimately, visiting scholars strengthen USF not only through their research contributions, but also their perspectives, relationships and the global connections that they bring to our campuses,” McLeod said.