MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Four Middle Tennessee State University students have been awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, earning support to study abroad and expand their academic and cultural experiences across the globe.

The recipients are Clarence Demaree, an English major and Army National Guard veteran; Daniel Chera, a social work major and Honors student; Teagan Sullivan, a dual major in business innovation and entrepreneurship, and environmental science; and Serene Willingham, a foreign languages major.

The Gilman Scholarship, funded by the U.S. Department of State, supports American undergraduate students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, helping prepare them for careers in a global economy.

Demaree plans to study in Japan, where he will focus on language development while immersing himself in the country’s culture. When he learned he had been selected, Demaree said the moment was overwhelming.

“When I first learned that I had been accepted for the scholarship, I immediately got in my truck and drove to the lake near my house and screamed … out of pure shock and excitement,” he said.

During his time abroad, Demaree looks forward to strengthening his Japanese language skills, particularly in reading and writing kanji, and to exploring cities such as Osaka, Nara and Kyoto. He also plans to participate in cultural activities such as calligraphy and kendo (a martial arts style).

Demaree said the experience will directly support his career goal of becoming an author.

“I believe that learning as much of the culture and language will help to create my own diversified set of cultures and characters and dialogue in the books and stories I write,” he said.

Sullivan will travel to Switzerland and Italy to study geology and sustainability practices in alpine environments. She said receiving the scholarship brought both excitement and relief.

“My immediate reaction was excitement that my hard work during the application process paid off and relief that I would have financial support to travel abroad,” Sullivan said.

While abroad, Sullivan looks forward to hiking the Alps, visiting the Aletsch Glacier, and exploring the Hölloch cave system. She is also eager to observe how sustainability is integrated into Swiss society.

Sullivan said the experience aligns closely with her academic and career goals.

“Studying Switzerland’s geology and sustainability will strengthen my scientific knowledge and broaden my understanding of environmental solutions,” she said. “This will help me become a more thoughtful and globally aware environmental consultant.”

She added that studying abroad has long been a personal goal and will enhance her cultural awareness and ability to work in diverse communities.

Chera and Willingham will also use the Gilman Scholarship to pursue international study opportunities aligned with their respective fields of social work and foreign languages, further advancing the university’s commitment to global learning and student success. Chera is headed to Senegal this summer and Willingham will go to Japan in the fall.

The Gilman Scholarship is highly competitive, with applicants required to demonstrate academic achievement and a strong commitment to international engagement. Each year, recipients are selected from a national pool of students representing colleges and universities across the country.

By earning this scholarship, these scholars join a growing number of MTSU students gaining international experience through study abroad, bringing global perspectives back to campus and their future careers.

Students interested in applying for future Gilman Scholarships or exploring other study abroad opportunities are encouraged to visit the Office of Education Abroad at mtsu.studioabroad.com  or contact the Undergraduate Fellowships Office by emailing [email protected]. For additional details about the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, visit gilmanscholarship.org.

— Robin E. Lee ([email protected])