2 UK students awarded Gilman scholarships to study abroad
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 17, 2026) — Two University of Kentucky students have been selected to receive the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a nationally competitive award that helps students participate in study abroad and internship programs around the world.
The scholarship supported the following students in their education abroad programs:
- Jamie Riddell, a junior finance major in the Gatton College of Business and Economics, “Business Goes Global: Corporate Finance and Strategic Communication in Paris,” Summer 2026
- Russell Van Liew IV, a senior marketing major in the Gatton College of Business and Economics, “International Business and Services Marketing in Peru,” Summer 2026
The Gilman Scholarship Program broadens the student population that studies and interns abroad by supporting Pell Grant recipients as they gain critical skills, language abilities and international experience.
Through their programs abroad, students have the opportunity to deepen their academic interests, build intercultural competencies and represent the University of Kentucky in a global setting.
“Studying abroad had been a dream of mine since I was a child," Riddell said. "I cannot fully explain why, but I had always felt drawn to Europe and knew it was something I needed to experience for myself. Being able to study in Paris truly made that dream come true.”
“I’m particularly interested in international business, and that led me to want to study abroad,” Van Liew said. “Receiving the Gilman Scholarship has given me this tremendous opportunity to explore a new culture and a new language and to use that knowledge to better myself personally and professionally.”
Students interested in applying for the Gilman Scholarship are encouraged to work with UK Education Abroad and Exchanges and the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards to learn more about eligibility, deadlines and application support.
Learn more about the Gilman Scholarship at competitiveawards.uky.edu/awards/gilman-scholarship and about UK's education abroad opportunities at international.uky.edu/ea.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.