Three Wabash College students have earned Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships to study abroad.
Elijah Greene ’25, Hunter Otto ’26, and Olivier Tuyishime ’25 earned scholarships to study in Thessaloniki, Greece, Heidelberg, Germany, and Kigali, Rwanda, respectively, for their international experiences. Twenty-nine Wabash students now have earned Gilman Scholarships since 2016.
A biology and Classics double major, Greene is the photo editor for The Bachelor, the school newspaper. He traveled to Greece in May 2023 as part of an immersion learning experience.
“I never would have guessed the importance and prestige that came with winning a national scholarship,” said Greene, a native of Pine Village, Indiana. “As soon as I won, people stressed how incredible it was, and now I believe them. It’s an honor and privilege to join this cohort. I can’t wait to see what the Gilman has in store for me.”
Otto, a PPE and German double major, currently serves as the philanthropy chair for the Independent Men’s Association, president of the Bass Fishing Club, secretary of the Wabash Republicans, and is a member of the rugby team. Further, he begins ROTC training at Purdue University next semester.
This will be his first trip abroad.
“This is a nationally competitive scholarship and the opportunity gives me a sense of purpose to make the most of what I have been given,” said Otto, a native of Normal, Illinois. “As a PPE and German major, I am excited at the idea of taking philosophy, politics, and economics classes in German. It is the opportunity of a lifetime to get an education while gaining a deeper appreciation of the culture.”
Tuyishime, a political science major and Black Studies minor, currently is a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity 
and the Malcolm X Institute of Black Studies. Previously, he traveled to Havana, Cuba, as part of an immersion learning experience.
“I’m grateful for Susan Albrecht and my family and friends for supporting me throughout the application process,” said Tuyishime, an Indianapolis resident and native of Rwanda. “After applying for a Gilman last year, I was happy to hear the good news this year.”
Supported by the U.S. Congress, the Gilman Scholarship is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and is aided in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The purpose of the Gilman International Scholarship program is to encourage participation in study abroad programs for under-represented students, particularly those who are studying in under-represented areas of the world and/or under-represented languages.
The IIE seeks to support a cohort of American students studying abroad which reflects the true diversity of the nation. Scholarship recipients have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of other cultures, countries, languages, and economies, making them better prepared to assume leadership roles within government and the private sector.
“This was a terrific application cycle for Wabash, as all three of our applicants were named Gilman Scholars,” said Albrecht, Wabash College fellowship advisor. “All three gentlemen worked diligently on their applications, and it showed. Nationally, the success rate was around 30%, so I’m incredibly pleased with this outcome and am excited to hear about the experiences the Gilman Scholarship will help facilitate for Olivier, Elijah, and Hunter.”
These Wabash students are among the many Wabash men who have earned highly competitive fellowships in the last decade, including the Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Obama Voyager, Yenching, Goldwater, and Point Foundation Flagship Scholarships. Additionally, Wabash students have earned the Center for the Study of Presidency and Congress’ Presidential Fellowship, U.K. Fulbright Summer Institute placement, and NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships, to go with 27 Fulbrights and 29 Gilman Scholarships.