DANVILLE, KY --

Emily Upton, a 1999 Centre College graduate from Louisville, has been named a Fulbright Scholar. This is Centre's second Fulbright Scholar for the year. In late May, Centre senior John Ballert of Prospect was chosen for the prestigious international program.

Upton will spend the 1999-2000 academic year teaching English as a second language to high school students in Strasbourg, France. Ballert will spend his Fulbright year with a research team at the Children's Cancer Research Institute in Sydney, Australia. The Fulbright program pays all their travel and living expenses, along with a stipend, and the scholars have the opportunity to meet Fulbright students from other countries.

A graduate of Eastern High School, Upton compiled an outstanding academic record at Centre. She was named to Phi Beta Kappa, made the dean's list and received the Sallie Warfield Memorial Prize for excellence in mathematics.

Upton completed a semester of study in Strasbourg with Centre's overseas residential program, and one of her Centre professors, Dr. Charles Vahlkamp, will be back in Strasbourg this fall directing the Centre program there. Upton says she will enjoy the opportunity to spend time with Vahlkamp and his wife, Sarah, as well as the Centre students who will live and study in Strasbourg throughout the year.

Upton began studying French in middle school and continued throughout high school. Her family hosted a short-term exchange student from France, and Upton visited the young woman's family in France. She says those experiences and especially her semester in Strasbourg with the Centre program have prepared her to live and work abroad. "I loved Strasbourg so much," she says, "that I knew I would return some day. I'll feel right at home working there."

At Centre, Upton majored in mathematics and completed a minor in French. She earned certification to teach math at the secondary level and was chosen for a teaching job by the time she learned about her Fulbright selection. She plans to return to the U.S. and begin a teaching career after working in France. "One of my goals is to learn about the French system of education and see how they approach mathematics instruction," says Upton.

Upton's parents are Roy and Helen Upton.

With the selection of Upton and Ballert, Centre now has claimed eleven Fulbright Scholars in nine years. Six of those eleven have graduated from Louisville high schools. They are Upton (Eastern H.S.) and Ballert (Ballard H.S.) in 1999, Brian Mattingly in 1998, a graduate of St. Xavier, Jason Muncy 1996, also a graduate of St. Xavier; Jennifer Scheler in 1995, a graduate of Eastern; and Jennifer Laughlin in 1993, a graduate of Male.

The Fulbright program, which is funded by the United States and other countries, is designed to promote mutual understanding of people from countries around the world.

Communications Office
Centre College
600 W. Walnut Street
Danville, KY 40422

Coordinator of Public Information: Patsi Barnes Trollinger
Telephone 606-238-5719