Five Ball State Graduates Earn Fulbright U.S. Student Awards; Undergraduate Receives Udall Scholarship

Topics: Alumni, Awards, Honors College, College of Sciences and Humanities, College of Fine Arts, Scholarships, Students

June 9, 2026

Five Ball State University graduates have received Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards, and one undergraduate has been selected for the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship, continuing the University's recent success in nationally competitive scholarship programs.

Em Allen, Roman Hughes, Trey Michael Mathews, Jack Tagle, and Kade Wereley-Bross have been selected for Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards. Third-year student Gem Sambugaro has been selected for the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program Award Recipients
The Fulbright awards will enable Ball State recipients to spend the upcoming academic year abroad as English Teaching Assistants or graduate students, helping build mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries.

Fulbright Study Award Recipient

• Em Allen, '26, of Nappanee, Ind., is an Honors College graduate who majored in English with a concentration in literature in the College of Sciences and Humanities. She also minored in economics and women's and gender studies. Em received a Fulbright award to pursue a master's degree in English literature at Ulster University in Northern Ireland. There, she will compare the expression of experiences during the Troubles in Irish Sign Language, British Sign Language, and literary works. Em plans to pursue a doctorate and a career as a professor of literature.
  
  "This award has shown me the value of staying determined and continuing to be passionate about literature," Em said. "I am most excited about the opportunity to work with the faculty and with the Deaf community in Northern Ireland. I am excited to improve my own Irish and British sign language skills through immersion."

Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award Recipients

• Roman Hughes, '24 MA '26, of Westfield, Ind., earned his bachelor's degree in English with a concentration in creative writing from Ball State's College of Sciences and Humanities. He also holds a master's degree in English studies from Ball State. Roman will teach English at a university in Poland.
  
  "Poland is a country with such a rich history and culture, so I can't wait to explore what each unique region has to offer," Roman said. "Receiving the Fulbright award is such an honor and has truly been years in the making. It's a reassurance that all the hard things were worth it and that people who don't even know me see my potential, which feels amazing."
  
  
• Trey Michael Mathews, '26, of Muncie, Ind., graduated in May with a major in Spanish and a minor in history from the College of Sciences and Humanities. He is also a graduate of the Honors College. Trey will teach English in Honduras.
  
  "I desire to explore more of Latin America to grow in my proficiency with Spanish and understanding of the Spanish-speaking world," Trey said. "This program in Honduras specifically appeals to me because the first Spanish class I had in college was taught by a Honduran professor from San Pedro Sula. I related to her when she talked about the tight-knit connections that Hondurans have with their family and community, as I, too, value familial ties and participation within my community."
  
  
• Jack Tagle, '26, of Roachdale, Ind., graduated in May with a major in English from the College of Sciences and Humanities. Jack prepared for this experience through extensive teaching in area schools and volunteer tutoring at a community center. Jack will teach English in Thailand.
  
  "I am most excited about the everyday, transformative moments in the classroom as learners and I grow together-experiencing sparks of realization and recognizing connections across our seemingly different lives," Jack said. "As teaching is a collaborative space, I look forward to learning directly from the various perspectives of my students. The most exciting opportunity I look forward to as a teacher, however, is watching my learners grow-having those 'ah-hah!' moments-and seeing a world beyond their own."
  
  
• Kade Wereley-Bross, '25, of West Lafayette, Ind., earned their degree in theatre from the College of Fine Arts, with minors in technical theatre and German. Kade was also a student in the Honors College, participated in several Ball State theatre productions, and served as a peer mentor for the Department of Theatre. Kade will teach in Germany, where they plan to implement theatre activities to teach English in an engaging way.
  
  "An ETA award proves to me that all the hard work that I have put in for the last few years has had an impact on me and my skills," Kade said. "I am looking forward to learning about traditional German cooking and baking and continuing my hunt for a cookie cutter for springerle, a traditional German cookie."

In recent years, Ball State has had several students selected for the Fulbright program. Six students went abroad through Fulbright grants in 2024, and six were selected for awards in 2025, with two declining to pursue other opportunities.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people in nearly 140 countries. Applicants nationwide are considered based on the quality and feasibility of their proposals, academic and professional qualifications, and their potential to serve as effective cultural ambassadors.

Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship is one of America's most prestigious scholarships awarded to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to the environment or Native American nations.

Udall Recipient

• Gem Sambugaro, a third-year student in Ball State's Honors College, is majoring in biology and pre-veterinary preparations in the College of Sciences and Humanities and minoring in Spanish. After graduating from Ball State, Gem plans to attend veterinary school.
  
  Gem is one of 65 Udall scholars selected this year from across the country. As part of the award, Gem will attend a multi-day scholar orientation in August.
  
  "I would love to hear how others are initiating productive change for their community and discover ways I can bring those lessons to Ball State University," Gem said of the upcoming orientation.

This is the second year in a row that a Ball State student has been named a Udall Scholar. Shaina Miller, who graduated in May 2026, received the scholarship last Spring. Since 2005, 15 Ball State students have received Udall Undergraduate Scholarships, and eight others have received honorable mentions from the Udall Foundation, an independent federal agency.

The scholarship honors the legacies of brothers Morris and Stewart Udall, both of whom served in the U.S. Congress. Morris Udall is best known for his contributions to the environment, public lands, natural resources, and tribal self-governance. Stewart Udall also served as U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 1961-69 and later worked as an environmental lawyer.