University of Richmond Student Named Gilman-McCain Scholar

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — Glen Kettering, a University of Richmond junior from Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been named a Gilman-McCain Scholar. Kettering is the first UR student to receive this award, which he is using to study abroad in Prague, Czech Republic. 

The Gilman-McCain award is a subset of the State Department’s Gilman Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to outstanding U.S. undergraduate students who might not otherwise go abroad due to financial constraints. The award is named in honor of former U.S. Senator and Navy officer John McCain. Applicants must be the dependent of an active service member. The scholarship supports Kettering’s housing expenses.

"This award is meaningful to me as it recognizes the often unseen lives of military kids and dependents,” said Kettering, who is studying abroad for the first time. “I have lived in four states and moved to nine schools during my K-12 education. While this constant moving did not provide stability, it allowed me to quickly adapt to new situations, a skill I am using now being abroad.”

Kettering is majoring in global studies with a concentration in politics and governance and minoring in environmental studies. He is currently enrolled in the Undergraduate Program in Central European Studies in Prague where he is taking European/Czech political and history courses.

“I have always been fascinated with international politics and global events, and I am excited to learn these subjects from a new perspective and in a new environment,” said Kettering. “One of my courses is even being taught by the former foreign minister of the Czech Republic, which will offer me incredible insight.”

Kettering is interested in conservation and has served as president of the Outdoors Club at UR and volunteered with the James River Park System and at other state and national parks. He is fluent in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language, and he is now studying Czech.

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