Ball is among more than 1,900 U.S. students, artists and early career professionals who were offered Fulbright Program grants to study, teach English and conduct research in over 140 countries throughout the world. Fulbright grant recipients are selected on the basis of academic excellence and achievement, as well as their leadership potential in their respective fields.
“We are extremely proud of Carson Ball for earning the prestigious Fulbright grant,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “His selection is a testament to our commitment to providing our students the best possible educational experience in an environment that inspires them to succeed. I know Carson will represent the very best of OU during his time abroad.”
Ball will graduate from OU this month with a bachelor’s degree in political science and Native American studies. He will spend his Fulbright year at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, Canada, completing a master’s degree in political science. After graduate school, he plans to pursue a career in nonprofits, government arts agencies or tribal serving institutions. He is also a Carl Albert Center undergraduate research fellow. Outside of his studies, he enjoys film, screenwriting and performing stand-up. Ball is from Owasso, Oklahoma, and is the son of Terry and Kelli Ball.
Two other OU students, Maddie Williams and Brianna Zenzen, were named alternates for the Fulbright Program. Alternates may be offered an award if additional funding becomes available.
Williams, of Waco, Texas, is pursuing a master of arts in global economics and development at OU. She was named an alternate for an English teaching assistant position in Mongolia. In the future, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in international studies/peace. She is the daughter of Beth and Wayne Williams.
Zenzen is a senior at OU majoring in international studies, German and pre-law. She is an alternate for an English teaching assistant position in Germany and hopes to pursue a law degree in the near future. She is from Moore, Oklahoma, and is the daughter of Todd and Jennifer Zenzen.
Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 380,000 participants – chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential – with the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States also provide direct and indirect support. In the United States, the Institute of International Education supports the implementation of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State, including conducting an annual competition for the scholarships.
For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit eca.state.gov/fulbright.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information visit www.ou.edu.
