CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. (Feb. 4, 2021) — Thomas More University student Grace Brogan, a junior political science and law major from Cincinnati, has been awarded the English-Speaking Union (ESU) Scholarship presented by the English-Speaking Union Kentucky Branch. Brogan is set to study history, politics, and society at the University of Oxford in England this upcoming summer. 

Brogan was selected by the Scholarship Committee of the Kentucky Branch following a competitive essay and interview process.

The English-Speaking Union of the United States (ESU US) is a nonprofit, non-political educational service organization whose mission is to promote scholarship and the advancement of knowledge through the effective use of English in an expanding global community. The Kentucky Branch is a vibrant, active organization devoted on enabling student and teacher scholars to study in the United Kingdom and promoting scholarship with students from Kentucky. Scholarships awarded include tuition, lodging, and meals for three-week courses at the recipient’s chosen institution.

“We are excited about Grace being awarded an opportunity to study in the United Kingdom through the English-Speaking Union,” said John T. Spence, Ph.D., AICP, Thomas More professor of political science. “Grace exemplifies the characteristics of the ideal student: she is scholarly engaged, naturally curious, and self-motivated to learn more and experience as much as possible in her undergraduate education. I was pleased to be asked to sponsor her application and provided a reference letter to the Kentucky Section of the English-Speaking Union indicating my support for Grace’s application without reservation.”

Brogan spent time during high school as an exchange student in Germany, which was an experience that sparked her interest in studying abroad at Thomas More. 

“Dr. Spence knew of my interest in studying in Germany and believed that while it was not the same place, that it was a unique opportunity in which I would find success,” said Brogan.

She spent most of August and September 2020 working on her application, while adjusting to the unforeseen circumstances of the academic semester brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Having the ability to study at such a well-known university and being able to study in buildings that date back to the 1300s is part of what I am most excited about for this program,” added Brogan. “In addition to everything I am set to gain from this experience, part of receiving this scholarship requires me to become an ambassador for the program on campus after I return. I am also excited to be able to be this ambassador and to hopefully help other students become a part of this program in the future.”

The Kentucky Branch of the ESU was chartered in 1923 by local business and civic leaders. Since 1964, more than 500 Kentucky teachers and college students have been awarded scholarships by the Kentucky Branch.

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Thomas More University provides students with something much more than job training. Graduates are prepared for any career. But they leave prepared for much more. They are exposed to the very best thought, literature, art, and music. They learn to harness the power of human reason to solve problems and discover truth. Most importantly, they have the chance to begin to become the person they were created to be. This is the power of the liberal arts in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition at Thomas More University. Our students come here looking for more. And that’s exactly what we offer. Here our students take that opportunity and…Make It More. Learn more at thomasmore.edu.

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