Anna Claspy the Latest Wooster Student to Receive a Fulbright Scholarship

WOOSTER, Ohio — Anna Claspy, a senior history major from Cleveland Heights, joins a distinguished group of former students from The College of Wooster following her selection as a Fulbright Scholar for 2016-2017. Claspy, who plans to teach English in Romania in the upcoming year, becomes the 27^th Wooster student selected since 2000.

“I had always planned on taking a ‘gap’ year between college and graduate school,” says Claspy. “I’m looking forward to teaching English and learning a new language while experiencing a new culture,” adding that the opportunity fits in nicely with her postgraduate objectives.
Claspy credits Wooster with preparing her to take on this challenge. “Wooster has shaped me in many ways,” she says. “The most valuable part of my time here has been the close relationships I have developed with my professors. They are highly intelligent people who want what’s best for their students. I feel comfortable approaching any of them.”
While at Wooster, Claspy served as vice president of Phi Alpha Beta history honor society. She also lived in the French Suite for two years, during which she was able to interact with Fulbright language teaching assistants. In addition, she received an APEX (Advising, Planning, and Experiential Learning) Fellowship, worked at the Dittrick Museum of Medical History at Case Western Reserve University, and was named to the Dean’s List on multiple occasions. Her Independent Study project (Wooster’s nationally acclaimed senior capstone experience) was titled, “Battle for the Birthing Chamber: Tools, Gender, and Writings in Childbirth in Early Modern France.” Following her year in Romania, Claspy plans to attend graduate school and study public history. Eventually, she hopes to work in a museum.
“Anna is an excellent student who excels at whatever she tries,” says Margaret Ng, assistant professor of history at Wooster and Claspy’s Independent Study adviser. “When she is not writing or helping others with their writing at the College’s Writing Center, she provides leadership for Phi Alpha Theta history honor society. She is also an avid chef who loves to try out new recipes. In addition, she worked with graduate students at Case Western Reserve University to set up an exhibition on the history of obstetrics at the Dittrick Medical History Center and Museum.”
The Fulbright Program is the nation’s premiere international educational exchange operation. Sponsored by the U.S. Government, the program was established in 1946 in an effort to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and citizens of other countries. Students are chosen on the basis of academic merit and leadership potential. They are then given the opportunity to study, teach, conduct research, share ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

Posted in News on May 5, 2016.