Two CSU students have received the William J. & Jean S. Griswold Scholarship for the 2017-18 academic year.

Awarded annually by the Office of International Programs, the $1,000 scholarship provides support for high-achieving upperclassmen and graduate students who contribute to CSU’s international community. Junior Madison Paquette and senior Brandon Reimers received this year’s scholarship in recognition of their commitment to learning about foreign languages and history, and their involvement in extracurricular activities on campus.

Brandon Reimers

Reimers, a triple major in international studies, Spanish and history, developed an interest in international cultures and languages while growing up in Highlands Ranch. His relationships with friends from immigrant families provided a new perspective on life and culture, and instilled in him a deep respect for their work ethic and dedication to getting ahead, which he strives to replicate in his own life.

Reimers chose CSU for its global perspective and proximity to the mountains, and lived in the Global Village Learning Community his freshman year – a residence hall specifically designed to blend the cultural and academic worlds of international and domestic students. Participating in the program inspired him to pursue international studies as a major, and he moved on to join the Global Awareness and International Affairs Club (GAIA). The club aims to provide all members of the CSU community a safe space for conversations and a sense of belonging.

This summer, Reimers will study abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica, with the goal of learning more about Latin American culture and improving his Spanish fluency. After graduation, he hopes to use his Spanish skills to serve in the Peace Corps and continue his education in history or law.

Madison Paquette

Paquette, who is from Fort Collins, decided to tackle two very different languages, Chinese and French, while studying at CSU. She attributes her interest in language to the diverse people she met throughout her childhood who brought cultural and language diversity into her life.

While majoring in Chinese and French, Paquette became president of the CSU Chinese Club and a member of Cercle Français, CSU’s French club. She applied for the Griswold Scholarship at the recommendation of her French phonetics professor, and her Chinese professor, Chuchang Chiu, provided helpful guidance for her application.

In addition to taking rigorous coursework in two very different foreign languages, Paquette is also working toward a minor in linguistic anthropology. After she completes her undergraduate degrees, she hopes to teach English in South Korea before furthering her education in graduate school.

About the scholarship

William and Jean Griswold have dedicated their lives to education and the international community at Colorado State University and around the world. Both started as teachers and spent six years abroad teaching, traveling and studying. Bill taught history classes at CSU for 35 years while Jean worked as the director of international services in the Office of International Programs. They have sailed with Semester at Sea five times, visiting and teaching students around the world.

Two $1,000 Griswold scholarships are awarded to students each spring, based on their contribution to the greater Colorado State University international community and the academic field of history. All students with more than one year of study at Colorado State University, including both American and international sophomores, juniors and graduate students, are eligible to apply. Scholarship recipients are required to reflect an interest in foreign languages and history as well as have had personal involvement in upholding the values of cultural understanding.

Eligible students can apply in the spring through International Student and Scholar Services (http://isss.colostate.edu/griswold/) in the Office of International Programs.