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1701 North State Street Jackson, MS 39210-0001 (800)352-1050 (601)974-1000
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Joseph Muller, a 2011 graduate of Millsaps College, has been awarded a Fulbright Award to teach English at the University of Silesia in Sosnowiec, Poland during the upcoming school year.
A highly competitive award, the Fulbright scholarship provides funds for a year's educational experience abroad, including travel, health insurance and a living stipend. Three Millsaps College alumni were named recipients of Fulbright Awards in 2011.
Muller, a native of Gadsden, Ala., graduated with honors in English in May 2011 and was elected to membership in the Alpha chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. He was also named a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honorary.
Sponsored by the State Department, the Fulbright is the largest U.S. international exchange program, offering opportunities for students, scholars and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide.
In his time outside the classroom, Muller plans to research 19th century and medieval Polish literature in a way that contributes to the academic community of the Polish university.
"I do not know for sure yet what will be expected of me, but I would love to see this take the form of a collaborative research project in which I guide and tutor literature students in writing comparative literature essays that compare the linguistic abilities of Polish and English as they are used in poetry. I would make my own contribution to the project and write an introduction that explains the project and ties the work together," Muller said.
Following his time in Poland, Muller plans to pursue a doctorate in English literature and eventually become a college professor.
"Joseph will be a marvelous teacher and a great ambassador for our country and his alma mater," said Robert W. Pearigen, president of Millsaps College. "We are so proud of him and wish him all the best."
During his senior year at Millsaps, Muller was recognized for outstanding academic achievements and campus leadership with the Paul D. Hardin Award in English and the Robert H. Padgett Award in English.
"Joseph is a mature, intelligent, inquisitive and gracious individual, and it has been my great joy to be his teacher and mentor during his years at Millsaps," said Eric Griffin, English professor and honors advisor to Muller. " His humility is one of his most admirable and endearing qualities."
Fulbright scholars have been awarded more than 40 Nobel Prizes. Fulbright alumni have become heads of state, cabinet ministers, ambassadors, heads of corporations, artists, university presidents, journalists, professors and teachers. Among the most notable grantees are actor John Lithgow, composer Philip Glass, opera singer Renee Fleming and economist Joseph Stiglitz.
Other recent Millsaps students to receive Fulbright awards are: Chelsi West, 2008; Nadia AlHashimi, 2010; Sarah Hartzog and Emily Tuberville, 2011.
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