Stockton College Senior Earns Fulbright Scholarship

A Richard Stockton College of New Jersey senior has been recognized with one of the academic world’s most prestigious awards.

Barbara Fisher, an Honors Physics student scheduled to graduate in May, has won a William Fulbright U.S. Student Scholarship scholarship, the school announced on Monday, April 1.

“The Stockton College community is very pleased that Barbara Fisher’s hard work has been recognized by the Fulbright program,” Stockton College President Herman J. Saatkamp said. “We congratulate her and extend our thanks to her faculty advisors, who helped Ms. Fisher achieve her ambitious goal.”

“This is extremely exciting news, and I am not aware of any previous Stockton student who has received a Fulbright,” Stockton College Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Harvey Kesselman said.

Fisher will be an English Teaching Assistant in the Czech Republic for the 2013-14 academic year.

“From the moment I learned about the Fulbright Commission, I knew this

was an opportunity I could not let pass me by,” said Fisher, 22, of Westville. “I would not be a scholar without the incredible support of my Fulbright Campus Advisor, Honors Program, Physics Department, Service Learning Department, Grants Office and the amazing people I call my friends and family.

“This opportunity will help me to reach my ultimate dream of becoming 

an international citizen, researcher and most importantly, a teacher. I could not be happier.”

History Professor Robert Nichols, the Fulbright Program advisor for Stockton guided Fisher through the process.

Professor Lisa Rosner, director of the Honors program, “has always seen my potential, even when I could not,” Fisher said.

Associate Professor Fang Liu, the head of the Physics Department, is Fisher’s mentor and advisor, and Professor Yitzhak Sharon, senior Physics professor, encouraged her to never give up.

Beth Olsen, director of Grants, helped with the interview process and applying for funding

“I really want to also thank all of my teachers who have inspired me as well, because it really has been everyone who made me who I am today,” Fisher said.

Fisher’s curiosity is taking her to the Czech Republic. She said she wants to determine why that country’s students outperform their American counterparts in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

“Is it the school structure? The culture? Or something deeper?” Fisher wonders, adding this is a change from how Czech students scored under Communist regimes.

The questions arose when Fsiher was studying overseas in the country. She said it was the only country she studied in that cured her homesickness.

“I love the people, the scenery and the culture,” said Fisher, who doesn’t know where in the Czech Republic she will be working yet. “There are no words that could possibly describe the way the country has changed my view of the world.”

The scholarship will cover Fisher’s travel and expenses, with a small stipend that will allow Fisher to live day-to-day.

“Barb’s a wonderful student, and her previous awards include a Presidential Fellowship and an REU at Duke University,” said Dr. Rosner, a History professor and director of the college’s Honors program. The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation.

Fisher has been accepted into two graduate programs, but is deferring her entrance into grad school until after the teaching program in the Czech Republic.

The late U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright founded the Fulbright Program in 1946. The program now operates in 155 countries. It provides funding for students, scholars, teachers, and professionals for graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools.