Audra Cooksley of Alda earns Gilman scholarship to study abroad

2018 May 8

Audra Cooksley of Alda is among 19 University of Nebraska-Lincoln students who earned Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships, which will enable them to study abroad during the summer 2018 term.

Cooksley, a senior marketing major, will study in Germany.

The Gilman scholarship is a nationally competitive award given three times a year by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Summer term scholarships were awarded to about 2,000 students from 386 universities and colleges.

The 2017-18 academic year set a record for the university in the number of students receiving Gilman scholarships. This year, 33 students received scholarships. The previous record was set in 2014-15 with 22 students earning scholarships.

Gilman scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward their study abroad or internship program costs, and an additional $3,000 if they're studying a critical language. The program's goal is to allow students to gain a better understanding of other cultures, countries, languages and economies - making them better prepared to assume leadership roles within government and the private sector.

For the full list of the university's summer Gilman scholars, visit https://go.unl.edu/dgv0.