Photo: Brody Eldridge, Niang Thang, Amy Scarborough
Three students win Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) awards and another the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
West Palm Beach, Fla. (May 9, 2024) — Four distinguished graduates from Palm Beach Atlantic University have garnered international recognition through two prestigious awards, marking a significant achievement for both the individuals and the institution. Thanks to both programs, the awardees will travel across Europe and Asia.
Brody Eldridge, Kyla Gates, and Niang Thang have each been honored with Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) awards, enabling them to serve as cultural ambassadors in various countries during the 2024-2025 academic year. PBA alums have now received a total of 17 Fulbright awards in seven years. Recently, Dr. Ariel Viale, professor of finance, received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to conduct research and teach in Vietnam for the 2024-2025 academic year. Additionally, Amy Scarborough has been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, the fourth PBA winner in the last three years in this prestigious competition.
The Fulbright ETA program places U.S. citizens in classrooms abroad to help the local English teachers. ETAs help teach the English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and other professionals—chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential—with the opportunity to forge lasting connections, counter misunderstandings, and help people and nations work together toward common goals.
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The scholarship supports American students in acquiring language skills and cultural insights that are essential for their academic and career advancement.
“These awards are a testament to the outstanding quality of our students, the depth of the curricula we offer at PBA, and the exceptional guidance provided by our faculty,” shared PBA President Dr. Debra A. Schwinn. “We are immensely proud of our graduates, who continue to represent PBA and the United States with distinction on the global stage.”
Recipients Spotlight
Brody Eldridge received a Fulbright ETA Award to Georgia. Eldridge, who is from Keller, Texas, graduated from PBA in spring 2024, having completed a major in English and a minor in music. While at PBA, he was also a member of the Frederick M. Supper Honors Program. Upon completing his Fulbright Award, Eldridge plans to continue teaching English in an international setting and then pursue a doctorate in English literature in the United States or the U.K.
Kyla Gates received a Fulbright ETA Award to Bulgaria. She is a 2023 graduate from Riviera Beach, Fla., who completed her bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology and a minor in Christian community development. Upon completing her Fulbright Award, Gates intends to pursue graduate education in international development with the goal of working in foreign service for the U.S. State Department.
Niang Thang received a Fulbright ETA Award to Taiwan. Thang, from Lake Worth, Fla., graduated from PBA in spring 2024, having completed a major in psychology and a minor in chemistry. While at PBA, she was also a member of the Frederick M. Supper Honors Program. Upon completing her Fulbright Award, Niang plans to pursue graduate study to become a clinical psychologist.
Amy Scarborough received a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad at Lorenzo de’ Medici International Institute in Florence, Italy. Scarborough, from Titusville, Fla., graduated from PBA in spring 2024, completing a studio art major and a business administration minor. Upon completing her Gilman International Scholarship Award, Scarborough plans to pursue a master’s degree in fine art and ultimately teach art at the university level.
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About Palm Beach Atlantic University
Palm Beach Atlantic University, founded in 1968, is a private, Christian university, offering 100 different programs and pathways, including undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees and professional degrees. The university has a 19-acre campus in West Palm Beach and an Orlando campus, and the 78-acre Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus provides facilities for training and hosting intercollegiate sports. Sailfish athletes compete in 18 NCAA Division II and Sunshine State Conference varsity sports. PBA affirms the values that have built American society, including religious liberty and the free enterprise system. The university is dedicated to the integration of biblical principles to prepare students for learning, leadership, and service. Learn more at www.pba.edu.
