GABC selects a W&J student as scholarship winner for fifth consecutive year

WASHINGTON, PA (Jan. 17, 2019)—For the fifth year in a row, the German American Business Circle of Pittsburgh (GABC/Pittsburgh) has chosen a Washington & Jefferson College (W&J) student as the winner of its annual scholarship award.

Economics and German double major Marisa Rosario ’20 is the fifth W&J student to earn the $2,500 scholarship from GABC, which will go toward funding her Spring 2019 term abroad in Vienna.

“I was immensely grateful and excited to have learned I was selected for the scholarship, because it was unexpected,” Marisa said. “This scholarship will make a significant difference while I am in Vienna.”

Marisa’s win continuing the series of past W&J GABC scholarship recipients speaks highly of the German program at the College.

“We have a very strong German program with outstanding faculty that supports our dedicated and hard-working students,” said Associate Professor of German and German Program Director Judith Atzler, Ph.D. “Having one of our students be awarded this scholarship five years in a row is a testament to the commitment of our students as well as our German faculty to achieving excellence. GABC’s recognition of our students also shows that the accomplishments of the W&J German program are highly valued in the international business community.”

Marisa is certainly no stranger to spending time abroad. In the fall, she furthered her economics education at Université Paris-Dauphine in Paris, France, a university primarily specializing in business management and economics. During her time there, she also studied the French language and explored Paris.

In Vienna, Marisa will focus on progressing her German speaking ability and building relationships in the local community through volunteer efforts. She wants to deepen her own understanding of a new culture and bring that knowledge back to the U.S. to share with other study abroad hopefuls.

“Perhaps I am a bit biased, but I truly believe W&J is one of the best small colleges for pursuing an international education, in terms of both support and breadth of opportunities,” Marisa said, crediting W&J faculty and staff for helping her achieve her goals. “I’m currently in the midst of planning my second Magellan Project  proposal, which could take me to Asia. That’s the thing about college—especially at W&J: you can go anywhere if you simply have the passion and drive.”

Marisa plans to attend graduate school after W&J and is currently considering her options. She hopes to spend her senior year teaching German, serving as a resource for students interested in studying abroad, and planning her next step.