DKG International World Fellowship Blog

     What do you know about World Fellowship? Well, do you know that all of the money comes from state organizations, chapters and members?  Do you know that the World Fellowship Program started 76 years ago at the 1946 National Convention? We are reminded of DKG Purpose number five which states, “To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators.” Did you know that the first fellowship provided the opportunity for four German women to study in Sweden in 1948 followed by special help with UNESCO for Korean women in 1952? The current World Fellowship Program evolved into what we are familiar with today when it partnered with the Institute of International Education (IIE), started a partnership with DKG committee at certain Canadian universities, and then finally became a separate committee in 1972. More detailed data can be found in the next Collegial Exchange.

     This year the World Fellowship Program awarded monies to 26 women from 19 countries; 15 first time recipients and 11 recipients with extensions. These women are not DKG members and are attending universities in the United States and Canada. Names, countries and information about these individuals can be found on the International DKG Webpage under resources and then flyers.

    How does one apply for this award? Fellowship applications are conducted through bi-national selection committees sponsored by Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or by Cultural Affairs Office of the United States Embassy in the applicant’s home country. All documents are sent to the Institute of International Education (IIE) in the United States. IIE is a private non-profit organization that administers the student portion of the Fulbright Program and helps students with enrollment, visas, insurance and transportation as well as DKG applications. The IIE staff reviews successful international candidates and forwards applications for those who meet the criteria for DKG fellowships. DKG Canadian Committees screen applications from select universities and send in a certain number to be considered by the International World Fellowship Committee. From these, the World Fellowship Committee selects recipients for Society grants. (This information is located on the DKG webpage.)

     Do you recognize who these appointed International World Fellowship Committee members for 2022-2024 are?  Evelyn Lugo Morales, Chair from Puerto Rico, Karen Evans from Missouri, Connie Savell from North Carolina, Gunilla Norden from Sweden, Susan Fritts from Washington, Dr. Debbie LeBlanc, our international president, and Phyllis A. Hickey, our Strategic Outreach Director.

     Find out who are the recipients for this year and reach out to them. Your communication is greatly appreciated. Let’s honor these amazing women now, living so far from home. The World Fellowship Fund flyer can be downloaded and circulated for your state organization or chapter. REACH OUT!