Sixteen Ohio University graduate students with an interest in the study of Africa received the prestigious Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowship for the 2009-10 academic year. 

Made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the FLAS program aims to encourage American students to learn less commonly taught languages at institutions of higher education.

Ohio University is one of only 11 universities that receive FLAS funding for the study of African languages, attesting to OHIO's nationally competitive strength in the field of African Studies. The African Studies Program, housed in the Center for International Studies, has been awarded this funding continuously for more than 15 years.  

FLAS recipients study one of eight African languages offered at Ohio University -- Akan, Gikuyu, Kiswahili, Standard and Sudanese Arabic, Wolof, Somali and Tigrinya. Recipients are also required to take courses in international and area studies, focusing on Africa.

Each of the 16 fellowship recipients will receive a full tuition scholarship as well as a $15,000 stipend for the academic year. Aside from studying the languages and cultures of Africa, FLAS recipients are expected to be advocates for Africa and promote Africa-related events on campus. Graduate students in any field of study can apply for FLAS Fellowships.

The 2009-10 FLAS awardees are:

• Mary Abowd, Mass Communication



• Allison Adair, International Development Studies



• Karen Agbemabiese Grooms, Cultural Studies in Education



• Peter Jason Brayda, African Studies



• David Bresnahan, History



• Rashika Carlson, Special Education



• Marlene De La Cruz, English



• Kaia DeMatteo, Cultural Studies in Education



• Christina Granberg, Communication and Development Studies



• Leslie Hill, African Studies



• Kyra Kirkling, African Studies



• Kristofer Olsen, Interdisciplinary Arts



• Jennifer Petrie, African Studies



• Nicki Tamny, International Development Studies



• Tracie Van Auken, Visual Communication



• Joseph Venosa, History

For the upcoming academic year, FLAS fellowship applications will be available mid-October. Those interested can contact Acacia Nikoi, assistant director of African Studies, at 740-597-1511 or nikoi@ohio.edu.