Texas Tech Among Top Faculty Fulbright Producers in U.S.

Texas Tech University’s latest crop of faculty Fulbright scholarships is among the most in the nation.

With 10 awards, Texas Tech leads all research institutions for U.S. Fulbright Scholars, along with Ohio State and Illinois who also each received 10 fellowships.

“The Texas Tech faculty selected as Fulbright Scholars exemplify the work we do here every day as a national research university,” said Texas Tech President M. Duane Nellis. “These awards reflect this commitment to academic excellence through scholarly research activities. We are proud of the work our faculty has accomplished and look forward to what they can achieve as they travel the world.”

The Fulbright Scholar program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and provides grants for U.S. scholars to conduct research, lecture and network with other scholars and institutions abroad.

“I’ve always said that we have the best faculty in the country, and this confirms my thoughts,” said Chancellor Kent Hance. “I am so proud of our outstanding faculty.”

Ten also is the greatest number of grants awarded to Texas Tech faculty members in the university’s history.

“To have this many Fulbright Scholars is a reflection on the quality of our faculty and the international impact of their scholarship, teaching and outreach,” said Interim Provost Lawrence Schovanec. “Texas Tech has enhanced institutional support for Fulbright Scholars and it's gratifying that our faculty have been able to take advantage of that support. Their success now ranks us among the top institutions in the nation in terms of producing Fulbright Scholars.”

Rounding out the top producers of U.S. Fulbright Scholars among research institutions are the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with eight and the University of Florida and the University of Kentucky with seven each.

The following are Texas Tech Fulbright Scholars during the 2013-2014 year:

• Arthur Durband, associate professor in the Department of Sociology
• William Lan, chairman and professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership
• David Lektzian, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science
• Timothy Matis, associate professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering
• Susan Myers, associate professor in the College of Education
• Paul Paré, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Kelly Phelan, associate department chair in the College of Human Sciences
• John Poch, professor in the Department of English
• Hamed Sari-Sarraf, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Trenia Walker, associate professor in the College of Education

More information about these faculty members and their research areas is available here.