In the past year, three Daemen University students were awarded the U.S. Department of State’s prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad.
Margaret Middaugh
Physician assistant student Margaret Middaugh spent four weeks in San Jose, Costa Rica last summer, concentrating on Spanish for healthcare professions. Psychology student Deborah Periannan just returned from a three-week trip to Scotland where they studied history.
Health promotion student Emma Robinson is in the midst of two study abroad programs, having just finished a two-week, faculty-led program in Thailand earlier this month, and embarking on a 19-week program in Sydney, Australia to study athletic training in the field of dance for the spring semester.
Deborah Periannan
“One of the biggest barriers for study abroad is the cost,” said Elizabeth Renner, associate director of global programs and international initiatives. “In May 2025, we had three applicants and three scholarship recipients, which is a testament to our students and something to celebrate, especially given all the other universities that participate in this program.”
Since 2013, 14 Daemen students have received Gilman scholarships, enabling them to choose from 500 study abroad programs offered by Daemen in 35 countries.
Emma Robinson
Renner enjoys researching opportunities and advising students, saying, “The best part is talking to students when they come back, hearing about what they’ve learned beyond the classroom, and seeing how much they’ve grown through the experience. It’s so rewarding to be a small part of that process.”
In addition to the Gilman scholarship, Daemen students benefit from other generous donor scholarships for study abroad opportunities.