Rosinski Honored by the Kosciuszko Foundation
The Kosciuszko Foundation selected Jan Rosinski, professor in the Department of Mathematics, as an Eminent Scientist of Polish Origin and Ancestry in 2018. Fewer than 400 scientists, 21 of whom are mathematicians, have received this prestigious honor.
“Naturally, I was very proud and honored to be included in this list,” Rosinski says. “Together with a letter and diploma, I received an invitation to the annual dinner and ball in New York City, celebrating Poland’s 100th Anniversary of Independence. My wife Wanda and I attended and met many accomplished and interesting people of Polish descent living in various parts of the United States and associated with the Foundation.”
Founded in 1925, on the eve of the 150th anniversary of Thaddeus Kosciuszko’s enlistment in the American revolutionary cause, the Kosciuszko Foundation is a national not-for-profit, nonpartisan, and nonsectarian organization. The Foundation promotes closer ties between Poland and the United States through educational, scientific, and cultural exchanges. It awards up to $1 million annually in fellowships and grants to graduate students, scholars, scientists, professionals, and artists, and promotes Polish culture in America.
Record Number of Students Earn Gilman Scholarships to Travel Abroad
A record-setting 17 UT students received Gilman Scholarships during the 2017–18 academic year.
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program supports American undergraduate students of limited financial means in studying or interning abroad. Since 2001, it has enabled more than 25,000 students to engage in educational experiences around the world.
Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply toward international study or internship program costs with additional funding available for the study of a crucial language overseas.
“This scholarship is very important, especially at UT, given how many of our students are Pell-grant eligible,” said Karen Richters, Gilman advisor at UT.
Peters, Haslam Alum and Fulbright Scholar, Publishes Book on Russia Sanctions
For Eric Peters, a recent graduate in economics and international business from the Haslam College of Business, a keen interest in research led to opportunities he never imagined. Peters recently lived in Hungary for a time through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program where he analyzed the economic effects of sanctions on Russia that originated in 2014 due to the invasion and annexation of Crimea.
Several months later, Peters accepted an analyst position with BP in Chicago. He also is preparing for his work to be published as a book by the Antall József Knowledge Centre in Budapest, where he was based during his Fulbright tenure.
Peters’ book, “Exploring the Visegrád-Russia Connection: Understanding the Political and Economic Ramifications of Sanction Policies Four Years Later,” is a collection of essays numbering 250 pages in total. He found while researching that contrary to the widely accepted political position, the 2014 Russian sanctions have not had much of a negative effect on Central European economies. Peters discovered these economies developed new trade partners worldwide, lessening their dependence on Russia as a market and putting them in more resilient long-term strategic positions.
Facilities Services Workers Recognized for Great Work During Power Outage
Dave Irvin, associate vice chancellor of facilities services, recently extended a well-deserved thank you to the more than 80 members of his team who worked tirelessly during the June 29 power outage that impacted the SERF Building on the Hill.
“It was our team members’ extensive knowledge of our campus buildings and expertise that helped to save the research of more than 170 faculty members in SERF,” Irvin said.
The restoration of power to this critical research building was a team effort within Facilities Services, and everyone swung into action immediately.
“Our staff knows the buildings on campus better than anyone,” Irvin said. “As they worked to get power back up, they were able to anticipate setbacks and attempt different solutions in a way no outside company could.”