News Release

Local angles: East Bend, Elkin,
North Wilkesboro, Pilot Mountain

Four UNC students awarded
study abroad scholarships

CHAPEL HILL — Four University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill undergraduates are studying abroad this semester on scholarships that support students from Surry, Wilkes and Yadkin counties.

The students received Charles Garland Johnson Sr. Scholarships that totaled $8,729 in aid for study abroad. Selection criteria are need and merit. Recipients for the spring 2006 semester are:

• Michael Lee, a sophomore Asian studies and business administration major from East Bend, studying at Sophia University in Tokyo;
• Sarah Elizabeth Lee, a junior economics and business administration major from East Bend, studying in Copenhagen, Denmark;
• Jessica Walker, a junior Romance languages major from North Wilkesboro, studying in Monterrey, Mexico; and
• Laura Walters, a junior history major from Pilot Mountain, participating in UNC’s Honors Semester in London.

Carolina alumnae Mary Anne Johnson Dickson and Martha O’Neal Johnson of Charlotte established the scholarship fund in 2002 to honor their late father, a banker and community leader in Elkin.

The donors also wished to provide study abroad scholarships for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Since its beginning, the fund has provided financial support for 14 students from the three counties, including the recipients for this semester.

The university’s study abroad office in the College of Arts and Sciences offers more than 300 travel programs in more than 70 countries. More than 1,600 students go abroad each year – the sixth highest number among all research universities nationwide, according to the latest report of the Institute of International Education.

"By creating opportunities for Carolina undergraduates to participate in a quality academic program, the study abroad office also is playing an important role in creating an awareness of global citizenship among our students," said Dr. Robert Miles, director of the study abroad office. "For many of them, participation is contingent upon the generosity of our private donors who share this mission. We are extremely grateful to Mary Anne and Neal."

The four current Garland Johnson Scholars are among 16 UNC undergraduates who received scholarships for study abroad during the spring 2006 semester. More than $27,000 in need-based and merit-based study abroad scholarships were awarded from nine endowments established by private donors.

Most of the gifts counted toward the university's Carolina First Campaign goal of $2 billion. Carolina First is a comprehensive, multi-year, private fund-raising campaign to support Carolina's vision of becoming the nation's leading public university.

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Study abroad contact: Dr. Robert Miles, (919) 962-7002, bob.miles@unc.edu 

News Services contact: L.J. Toler, (919) 962-8589