Elon University Graduate from Duluth Receives Fulbright

Submitted by Elon University

Kyle Whitaker of Duluth was one of six Elon University students to receive this spring a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship, a top national award that will support his plans to teach English next year in Malaysia.

He is the son of Diane Whitaker of Duluth, and Mark Whitaker of Winder.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered through the Institute of International Education, the Fulbright was established in 1946 by Congress to “enable the government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.” The Fulbright Program currently operates in more than 155 countries worldwide.

An English major and Honors Fellow, Whitaker regularly earned President’s List and Dean’s List honors throughout his collegiate studies, and he participated in the Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Tau Delta honor societies.

Whitaker was active with the co-ed a capella group Twisted Measure and he served as a SPARKS peer educator, teaching students about healthy lifestyle behaviors and the risks involved with drugs and alcohol. Whitaker also was active in New Student Orientation and the Epsilon Sigma Alpha co-ed service sorority, and he was inducted this spring into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.

At the conclusion of his Fulbright service in Malaysia, Whitaker plans to earn a graduate degree in higher education and student affairs with the goal of one day working in a division of student life for a college or university. “It is an indescribable honor to have been chosen for this fellowship,” he said, “and I can't wait to get started.” 

About Elon

Elon is an independent, residential liberal arts and sciences university with nationally accredited professional schools of business, communications, education, law and health sciences. Elon is consistently recognized for its strong student-centered mission and a commitment to high-impact, engaged educational experiences, including study abroad, volunteer service and undergraduate research.

The university’s 6,300 students come to North Carolina from 47 states, the District of Columbia and 49 other nations, creating an academic community of global citizens and leaders motivated by concern for the common good. U.S. News & World Report in 2013 ranked Elon the #1 Southern master’s-level university and Kiplinger’s rated Elon a top-25 “Best Value” private university.