Two VCU Students Named NSEP Boren Scholars

By Tom Gresham

Two Virginia Commonwealth University students have been awarded the National Security Education Program David L. Boren Scholarship, a national scholarship for students interested in studying the languages and cultures of countries infrequently studied in the United States.

Michael (Ben) Sims, a senior from Midlothian, Va., majoring in history and religious studies, and Alexander (Alex) Phelps, a sophomore from Williamsburg, Va., majoring in international studies with a concentration in Middle Eastern studies, will each receive financial awards to support their study in the country of their choice.

"VCU is excited to have two more Boren Scholars, adding to the four VCU students who were selected last year," said Jeff Wing, national scholarship coordinator in the VCU Honors College. "Both Ben and Alex fit perfectly the profile of students who want to develop language and cultural expertise in parts of the world important to U.S. security interests."

Sims, who is enrolled in the VCU Honors College, will study intermediate and advanced Turkish language, Turkish culture and Middle Eastern history in the cities of Ankara and Istanbul in Turkey from July 2008 to January 2009. Sims plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Ottoman history after his studies abroad and ultimately to work for the U.S. government.

Phelps will study intermediate and advanced Arabic, Syrian culture and Middle Eastern history in Damascus, Syria, from September 2008 through June 2009. Phelps plans to continue his studies in Arabic language and Middle Eastern studies when he returns to VCU in the fall of 2009. Phelps would like to use his language skills and knowledge of the Middle East to work for the U.S. government in the future.

The NSEP David L. Boren Scholarships are funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and provide up to $20,000 of support for students. The scholarships are intended to provide support to U.S. undergraduates who will pursue the study of languages and cultures currently underrepresented in study abroad and critical to U.S. national security.

Students interested in learning more about the NSEP/Boren Scholarship should visit http://www.honors.vcu.edu/nationalscholar, or contact Jeff Wing at jawing@vcu.edu or 804-828-1803.