2008 Valedictorian Receives Fulbright
Framingham, MA — Emma Abby of Natick, a geography major with a concentration in environmental studies and the valedictorian of the 2008 class at Framingham State College, has received a prestigious Fulbright Program Fellowship to pursue an international master’s program in environmental studies and sustainability science at Lund University in Sweden.
“I couldn’t be happier,” says Abby. “I wasn’t really expecting anything and it couldn’t have been a better surprise.”
According to the program’s Web site, the Fulbright Program “is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.” The program, which was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by then Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State.
Timothy Flanagan, president of Framingham State College, says, “Emma is an exceptional example of how a public higher education prepares students for very competitive, prestigious programs. We’re very proud of her accomplishments. She exemplifies how Framingham State alumni make a genuine difference; her work in environmental and sustainability sciences will be important to us all.”
Carl Hakansson, a professor of geography at Framingham State College, says, “Emma’s accomplishments are a testament to how commitment and discipline can pay off. Her enthusiasm and dedication were an inspiration to students and faculty alike and I believe that inspiration made all of us better teachers and students.”
Osama Abdelgadier, a professor of geography at Framingham State College, says Emma is a competent and hard-working student. “She made us all at Framingham State College proud of her and of our program, and I am quite sure she will be an excellent ambassador of Framingham State College to Lund, Sweden.”
Before coming to Framingham State College, Abby attended the Sudbury Valley School in Framingham.