Former Cross Country Runner Evelyn Baca Awarded Fulbright Scholarship
11/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Track
Nov. 4, 2005
Malibu, Calif. - Former Pepperdine cross country runner Evelyn Baca, who graduated in May of 2005, has been awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship from the U.S. State Department. Baca, who holds bachelor's degrees in international studies and Spanish, plans to teach English to school children in Madrid, Spain, while studying their primary education system.
"I'm looking forward to the direct interaction I will have with the people of Madrid through my teaching position and research," Baca said. The former Wave left September 9 for the yearlong sojourn.
The Arizona native credits Pepperdine with introducing her to the world abroad. Baca studied Buenos Aires, Argentina, through the University's International Programs Office, which led her to change her major to international studies. She also completed an internship through Pepperdine in Washington, D.C. at the Institute of Cultural Affairs.
The Argentina program was also the primary influence behind her decision to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship.
"I love to travel and get to know different cultures, Baca said. "However, I cannot fail to mention my older sister, Joanie, and my advisor, Dr. Robert Lloyd, who encourages me through all of the revisions of my applications. They both helped me believe in my own proposal."
A constant high-achiever, Baca, was named to the West Coast Conference's (WCC) Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2004 and 2005. Following her return from Madrid, Baca will attend graduate school.
The highly competitive Fulbright Scholarship Program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by former Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. Since its inception, more than 255,000 national and international grant recipients have participated in the program, which awards approximately 4,500 new grants annually.
Fulbright alumni include Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, governors and senators, ambassadors and artists, prime ministers and heads of state, professors and scientists, Supreme Court Justices and CEOs.
