08/20 - Two University of Scranton Class of 2002 Graduates Awarded Fulbright Fellowships

Two cum laude graduates of The University of Scranton's class of 2002, have been notified of yet another honor. Kristy R. Petty, Clarks Summit, and Joy Oliver, Haddon Heights, N.J., are the recipients of Fulbright Fellowships, bringing to 107 the total number of University of Scranton students receiving a Fulbright or other prestigious international fellowship since 1972.

"The Fulbright program offers scholars an exceptional opportunity for research and study abroad," said Susan Trussler, Ph.D., Fulbright advisor and associate professor of economics/finance. "We are pleased to continue The University of Scranton's remarkable tradition of achieving Fulbright Fellowships."

Kristy R. Petty

An international business and Spanish double major at the university, Ms. Petty will pursue graduate study and research in Argentina for the 2002-2003 academic year, while Ms. Oliver will study in the Netherlands.

Ms. Petty will examine company strategies and the international integration of markets occurring through the Mercosur agreement in Argentina's automobile and foodstuffs industries. Her research will be conducted under the tutelage of Dr. Christina Lucchini, director of the Fundación Simón Rodriguez in Buenos Aires. She will also study at the Universidad Torcuato di Tella.

At The University of Scranton, Ms. Perry first researched business opportunities emerging in Argentina -a topic she further explored during the spring semester of 2001, when studied abroad in Buenos Aires at Butler University. She was awarded a scholarship from Butler University and played for the field hockey team of Universidad Torcuato de Tella. There she also met the U.S. Ambassador to Argentina, James D. Walsh, a 1969 graduate of The University of Scranton.

Ms. Petty's continued to research this topic during her senior year at The University of Scranton and presented her honor's thesis on "Argentina and Mercosur: A Tale of Two Industries."

She will now be able to expand her skills and the scope of her research as a member of America's premier international scholarship program.

"The Fulbright research opportunity will help me perfect my language skills and improve my international business skills by allowing me to study industries in a foreign country from within the country," says Ms. Petty.

An athlete and a scholar, Ms. Petty was a member of The University of Scranton's varsity field hockey team, Honors Program and Business Leadership Program.

Regularly listed on the dean's list, Ms. Petty was also named to the Middle Atlantic States Athletic Conference Field Hockey All Academic Honor Roll from 1999 to 2001. She was also a member of the Women's Business Honor Society.

She was the recipient of the university's Loyola Scholarship and the Condron Ambition and Achievement Scholarship. In 1998, she received The University of Scranton's Women's Field Hockey Most Improved Award. In 2002, she received the Father Fitzpatrick Award in recognition of academic and athletic achievement and community involvement.

While at The University of Scranton, Ms Petty was a peer tutor, member of the Business Club and treasurer of the International Business Club. She interned at Prudential Retirement Service, in Moosic, Pa.

Ms. Petty remains an active volunteer at the Parker Hill Community Church and serves as a volunteer for the Adoptive Parents Support Group of NEPA.

Ms. Petty will leave for Argentina in March of 2003. In the meantime, she will continue her education at The University of Scranton's Graduate School during the fall semester.

Joy Oliver

A psychology major at The University of Scranton, Ms. Oliver will pursue graduate study and research in the Netherlands for the 2002-2003 academic year. Her research will focus on the methodology used by Dutch work and organizational experts to prevent job stress. She will work under the direction of Arnold Bakker, Ph.D., associate professor at the work, stress, and health research group the Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.

Surprised by receiving the Fulbright Fellowship, Ms. Oliver was equally astonished and overwhelmed by the support she received from University of Scranton faculty while planning her proposal.

"So many professors took time out of their busy schedules to meet with me solely to help me advance. Their unselfish dedication is so admirable and so greatly appreciated," says Ms. Oliver.

Ms. Oliver was a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Program, a dean's list student, and member of The University of Scranton's Women's Rugby Club Sport Team, serving as their president during her senior year. She was a member and chapter secretary of Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology.

She also served as a member of the American Psychological Society Student Caucus. During her junior and senior years, she was student coordinator of the Northeast Pennsylvania Brain Bee Contest held at The University of Scranton for area high schools students.

Ms. Oliver was active in campus ministry and participated in faculty student research program.

She will pursue graduate studies in the Ph.D. Program in Organizational Psychology at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., after completing her Fulbright Fellowship.

Students from approximately 500 colleges and universities nationwide submit applications each year for Fulbright fellowships, which were established in 1946 by Congress "to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries." It is named after the late J. William Fulbright, the U.S. Senator who sponsored the program.