Three SU Students Receive Critical Language Scholarships

SALISBURY, MD---Three Salisbury University students this summer were selected as recipients of the prestigious Critical Language Scholarship, a program of the U.S. Department of State.

Senior Abiodun Adeoye of Hyattsville, MD; senior John Bunke of Silver Spring, MD; and senior Shayna Grossberg of Gaithersburg, MD, were among more than 500 students from over 210 institutions selected to spend eight to 10 weeks abroad studying one of 15 critical languages.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was canceled for 2020, but awardees will be able to apply again in 2021. Salisbury’s three recipients may be selected for an additional opportunity this fall as the program will offer virtual instruction for 10 critical languages. 

“This opportunity would not be possible for me without the Nationally Competitive Fellowship office and their extraordinarily supportive and encouraging team of faculty and peers,” said Grossberg, an interdisciplinary studies major, who was slated to study in Turkey. “While I am unable to fulfill this scholarship, I hope to make it to Turkey on an excavation team to broaden my knowledge in the field of cultural heritage preservation by exposing myself to an incredible array of artifacts, environments, and structures of deep cultural importance.”

The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains, something Bunke intends to pursue after graduation. 

“I plan to continue my studies of the Azerbaijani language and gain firsthand experience in Caucasus region through other international scholarships and fellowships,” said Bunke, who was accepted for Azerbaijani, one of 15 critical languages in the program. “I also aspire to volunteer for The Peace Corps in the Caucasus region. My career goal is to work in the fields of international conflict resolution and community and youth development with a focus on the Caucasus and surrounding regions.”

Salisbury has had five individuals selected for the honor. These are the first selected for a placement outside of India.

For Adeoye, CLS was expected to be a continuation of previous opportunities.

“It is an honor to have been selected for this scholarship,” he said. “I hope to work with African countries as a diplomat, and mastering Swahili through the CLS would have helped me retain one of the many language skills that I will need for my eventual career after having begun learning Swahili last fall on my Boren Scholarship.”

CLS is part of a wider government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity. The program plays an important role in preparing students for the 21st century's globalized workforce and increasing national competitiveness.

“Our awardees are three extremely impressive seniors who will make a difference and who are truly committed to working in the Middle East and Africa, using their language skills,” said Dr. Kristen Walton, director of SU’s National Competitive Fellowship Office. “I feel confident that they will each find a way to gain the Turkish, Azerbaijani and Swahili language skills that they have worked so hard to pursue.”

Students interested in applying for the CLS program for 2021 may email Walton at kpwalton@salisbury.edu or Dr. Joe Venosa at jlvenosa@salisbury.edu.

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.