“I was stunned and thrilled to discover that I had received the award,” Nelson says. “It will be a challenge to survive in another country for an entire year, but I hope to come back with a command of Spanish and an appreciation for other people that I can never lose.”
Nelson, who went directly to the University of Notre Dame after leaving Anoka-Ramsey, completed numerous courses including journalism, first aid, English, Microsoft Excel, chemistry, algebra, geography, speech, philosophy and newspaper, serving as editor for one year.
“I loved my time working on the newspaper at Anoka-Ramsey,” says Nelson. “It was a great way to learn more about the ins-and-outs of the college while developing leadership skills. Beyond that, Anoka-Ramsey was a great first introduction to the world of higher education. It helped prepare me for Notre Dame and for my adventures around the world.”
The Fulbright Student Program, America’s flagship international educational exchange program, is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Since its establishment in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the Fulbright Program has provided approximately 286,500 people, 108,160 Americans, the opportunity to observe one anothers' political, economic, educational and cultural institutions, to exchange ideas and to embark on joint ventures of importance to the general welfare of the world's inhabitants. The Program operates in more than 155 countries worldwide.
Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. Among the thousands of prominent Fulbright alumni are: Muhammad Yunus, Managing Director and Founder, Grameen Bank, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006; Javier Solana, Foreign Policy Chief, European Union; Ruth Simmons, President, Brown University; Craig Barrett, Chairman of the Board, Intel Corporation; Shamshad Akhtar, the first woman to hold the position of Governor, State Bank of Pakistan; Alejandro Jara, Deputy Director-General, World Trade Organization; Raoul Cantero, Justice, Florida Supreme Court; Renee Fleming, soprano; Gish Jen, Writer; Daniel Libeskind, Architect; Aneesh Raman, CNN Middle East Correspondent; and Sibusiso Sibisi, President and CEO, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa.
For more information about the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, visit http://fulbright.state.gov.
For more information about the outstanding courses offered at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, visit www.AnokaRamsey.edu.
ABOUT ANOKA-RAMSEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Anoka-Ramsey Community College, with campuses in Cambridge and Coon Rapids, has been a leading provider of higher education and training in East Central Minnesota since 1978 and the north suburban area of Minneapolis/St. Paul since 1965. Annually, the college serves more than 10,000 learners of all ages as they pursue associate degrees that transfer as the first two years of a bachelor's degree, or certificate programs that lead immediately to rewarding careers. In fiscal year 2007, the Continuing Education and Customized Training division generated more than 5,570 registrations in both credit and non-credit courses. Anoka-Ramsey Community College is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, which includes 32 institutions on 53 campuses.
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