PHILADELPHIA- University of Pennsylvania students Harveen Bal and Gabriel Mandujano have been named Marshall Scholars, Bal selected in the New York region, Mandujano in the Washington, D.C. region.  

Bal, a senior health and societies major in the College of Arts and Sciences, is from Bloomfield, N.J., and a University Scholar at Penn.  She will take an M.Phil. in development studies at the University of Oxford.

"Harveen Bal is a truly exceptional Marshall Scholar with a mission," said John Jay Iselin, chairman of the New York region Marshall selection committee.  She combines a brilliant mind and an outstanding academic record with a nobility of purpose and a selfless commitment to improving the health of poor, underserved communities in the developing world.  In time, we believe Harveen will be a remarkable physician and humanitarian leader of great potential."

 Mandujano, a senior in the College and Penn's Wharton School, is a triple major in urban studies, international studies and business from Rockville, Md.  He is a member of the Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business.  He will pursue an M.A. in Latin American government and politics at the University of Essex and an M.Sc. in international housing at the London School of Economics.

"Gabe intrigued the Washington, D.C., Committee," said Andy Mackay, director and cultural counselor of the British Council, USA, "as a jazz playing, real estate dealer who has studied sociology in Havana.  The interview panel was totally won over by Gabe's flair, commitment and seriousness of purpose.  Gabe is typical of the talented, multi-faceted young Americans who we are proud to honor with the title of Marshall Scholar."

"Penn students continue to improve their performance in fellowship competition in general and for the Marshall Scholarship in particular," said Arthur D. Casciato, director of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, the organization that supports and guides Penn seniors and recent graduates as they apply for scholarships to study abroad and in the US.  

"Harveen and Gabe's awards give us four Marshalls in the last five years.  This is a record of achievement unparalleled at Penn.  Students, faculty, administrators and alumni alike can be quite proud."

Nationally, nearly 1,200 candidates apply for the Marshall Scholarship each year.  At least 40 Scholars are selected annually to study at graduate or occasionally undergraduate level at a UK institution in any field of study.  Each scholarship is held for two years.

The Marshall Scholarships were founded by an Act of Parliament in 1953 and commemorate the humane ideals of the European Recovery Programme, the Marshall Plan.  They are funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and administered by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission in the UK.