2026-2027 Global Scholars

2026-2027 Global Scholars

Ohio Wesleyan Selects 20 First-Year Students for Admission into Competitive Program

DELAWARE, Ohio - Ohio Wesleyan University is welcoming 20 first-year students into its Thomas W. Palmer '69 and Susan Palmer Global Scholars Program in recognition of the students' potential for high academic achievement and passion for international issues.

The selective four-year program is part of Ohio Wesleyan's Global Studies Institute. In this hub, faculty and students from the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and fine arts come together to explore issues from all academic disciplines and work toward real-world solutions.

Ohio Wesleyan's 2026-2027 Global Scholars are:

• Alexander Bankhead of Oak Park, California
• Robert Beatty of Wadsworth, Ohio
• Caitlin Culler of Olmsted Falls, Ohio
• Collin Fenderbosch of Copley, Ohio
• Yuka Fujimoto of Tokyo, Japan
• Jacqueline Gouamba of Barberton, Ohio
• Jacquie Gundic of Avon, Ohio
• Maya Helwig of Mentor, Ohio
• Ashe Houser of Columbus, Ohio
• Marin Kazahaya of Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Japan
• Charlie Kucharski of Brecksville, Ohio
• Sera Kunimoto of Habikino-Shi, Osaka-Fu, Japan
• Jerome Lehoux of Quebec, Canada
• Val Martin of Seaford, New York
• Maddy McConnell of Roseville, Ohio
• Rice Nguyen of Glen Burnie, Maryland
• Adam Ray of Wintersville, Ohio
• Savannah Stec of Fredericksburg, Virginia
• Antonio Traini of Ashton, Maryland
• Dane Westberry of Westerville, Ohio

All new Global Scholars participate in a special section of the first-year seminar, "How to Change Your World," in which they explore global issues from diverse perspectives.

In their junior or senior year, the Global Scholars receive a $6,000 grant from the university to pursue an approved semester-long study abroad experience of their choice.

As seniors, the Global Scholars complete a faculty-supervised thesis or capstone project, which they present during a year-end conference. Students who successfully complete all requirements of the Global Scholars Program graduate with a Global Studies Institute certificate.

The program is endowed with $2 million in gifts from Ohio Wesleyan graduate and university Trustee Thomas W. Palmer, Class of 1969, and his wife, Susan Palmer.

"This program not only enables experiences of global connection for those directly involved but also for others in sharing interaction," the Toledo, Ohio, couple said in announcing their gift. "In this, OWU continues to differentiate itself as a university dynamic in affording distinctive learning opportunities."

Learn more about Ohio Wesleyan's Global Scholars Institute at owu.edu/GlobalScholars.

Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.