PHILADELPHIA – Seven University of Pennsylvania seniors and a Penn alumna have received Thouron Awards to pursue graduate studies in the United Kingdom.  

The award winners are:

• Besan Abu-Joudeh, a statistics and international studies major, is applying to the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London to study for an MSc in Political Economy of Development.

• Ava Childers, a 2010 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in classical studies and anthropology, is applying to Cambridge for an MPhil in archeological heritage and museums.

• David Dunning, an English and mathematics major, is applying to Cambridge for an MPhil in history, philosophy and sociology of science, technology and medicine.

• Alison Feder, a mathematics major, is applying to Oxford for a DPhil in statistics.

• Myles Karp, an anthropology major, is applying to Oxford for an MSc in cognitive and evolutionary anthropology.

• Michael Masciandaro, a history and English major, is applying to Cambridge for an MPhil in modern British and European history.

• Eliana Ritts, majoring in business and public policy and international studies, is applying to Oxford for an MSc/MPhil in Visual, Material and Museum Anthropology.

• Katie Wynbrandt, majoring in Political Science and English, is applying to Oxford for an MSc in criminology and criminal justice.

The Thouron Award, a graduate exchange program between Penn and British universities, exists to improve relations between the United States and the United Kingdom.  Thouron Award winners receive tuition and stipends for one or two years depending on the time required to earn their graduate degrees. The Thouron Award was established and is supported by gifts from Sir John Thouron and the late Esther du Pont, Lady Thouron, of Unionville, Pa.

Graduating Penn seniors, current Penn graduate or professional students and recent Penn graduates who are U.S. citizens are eligible to apply.  

Additional information about the Thouron Award is available at www.thouronaward.org/.