Fifty Temple undergraduates have been awarded the first scholarships offered by the Diamond Ambassadors program, a new initiative to help students with the strongest combination of academic records and financial need study abroad.

Each of the students will receive a $2,500 grant to support participation in any Temple-approved study abroad program anywhere in the world at almost any point in their undergraduate careers at Temple.

“We’re delighted to help these deserving students study abroad,” said Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies Peter R. Jones, who oversees the program. “Temple has always provided access to an excellent education for motivated students of all backgrounds. Now President Hart is leading an effort to internationalize the Temple experience. The Diamond Ambassadors program unites these two core missions by providing students access to a global stage.”

Unlike most scholarships, Diamond Ambassadors Scholarships are offered by invitation only. Starting late last year, invitations to apply were extended to full-time sophomores at each Temple school and college with the greatest combination of cumulative freshman grade point average and financial need.

By offering the scholarships by invitation, the program is able to reach students who might not otherwise consider a study abroad experience.

“It’s more than just the money,” said Denise Connerty, director of International Programs at Temple. “These invitations bring the opportunity in a concrete way directly to all kinds of deserving students, not just those who’ve been exposed to international travel.”

J.T. Noone, a sophomore economics major from Harrisburg, Pa., admits he likely wouldn’t have studied abroad had he not received an e-mail inviting him to apply for a scholarship. Now he hopes to complete summer study in France.

“The e-mail made study abroad more realistic for me,” said Noone, a varsity soccer player who has never left the country. “I’ve been studying French for six years now.

I want to go to France and experience the language firsthand.”

Dia Clark, a sophomore in the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management from Baltimore, also needed what he called “a stimulus” to consider study abroad in earnest.

“I was thinking about study abroad, but once I decided to put the work into the application, I realized I was serious about it,” explained Clark, who is exploring programs in Spain. “These days, international experience is a necessity, not just a benefit.”

Rachel Donahoe, a sophomore English and history major from Pittsburgh, had always dreamed about traveling overseas, but wasn’t sure how she could make it happen.

“Studying abroad was something I really wanted to do, but I don’t know much about international travel and I have large financial need,” said Donahoe, who hopes to study in England as a senior. “This program gave me the opportunity and the confidence to do it.”

The Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies will send out invitations to qualified students in this year’s freshman class in the summer.

For more information about the Diamond Ambassadors program, go to www.temple.edu/vpus.