SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Ted Schwalbe of the Department of Communication recently attended the international Fulbright Association’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Part of that meeting was spent advocating on Capitol Hill for fiscal year 2018 funding for Fulbright programs. While there, he met with staff members from the offices of U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Tom Reed.
“As the premier international exchange program in the U.S., it is critical that Fulbright continues its mission of increasing mutual understanding and supporting friendly and peaceful relationships between the U.S. and other countries through individual two-way exchange programs,” Dr. Schwalbe said.
“It is also important to remember that as a two-way exchange program, foreign governments contribute $110 million to Fulbright programs so there is tremendous leveraging involved. Many of the 165 countries involved contribute more to the program than does the U.S.”
As a recipient of five Fulbright awards, Schwalbe is well aware of the impact it has had on him personally and professionally. “My students at Fredonia are the primary recipients of the knowledge and experiences gained during these opportunities. As a direct result of these programs, I have been able to set up agreements with international universities for exchanges of faculty and students.”
Approximately 200 New York state students and 80 faculty from the state are awarded grants annually; Fredonia has had 10 faculty and three student awards in the past 10 years.
The programs also contribute economically. Foreign students contributed $4 billion in the state in 2015-2016.
“The Fulbright program has had over 70 years of bipartisan support.” Schwalbe explained. “It is important for this to continue. Not only has the program trained government leaders around the world, including six current heads of state, but people all around the world have met Americans eager to share their knowledge with them. The Fulbright name is recognized and admired worldwide.”
Schwalbe has had Fulbright Awards to Bulgaria (1997), Swaziland (2002), Hungary (2004), Namibia (2007) and Albania (2017).
