Purdue University’s senior student Abby Lemert is the first student from Purdue in 25 years who has earned a Marshall Scholarship. She could soon be encouraging countries to stop using their government control of the internet and social media in order to oppress their people.
Lemert said, “I would love to shape international norms on the use of technology."
Lemert will take this step in the coming year when she will begin her two years of study in UK as a Marshall Scholarship recipient.
The Marshall Scholarship program was created in 1953. The program provides young talented American with high abilities with the opportunity to study in UK for their graduate degree. Providing them the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge and building a better understanding of the relationship between UK and US.
The program focuses on students with “ambassadorial potential." The application process stated about a year ago with Lemert.
Mary Pilotte, associate professor of engineering practice and director of engineering education undergraduate programs at Purdue said, “I am struck by Ms. Lemert’s maturity and character, which was apparent when as a first-year student she was determined to design a one-of-a-kind engineering plan of study”.
Lemert will spend the year starting fall 2018 studying computer science at University of Edinburgh; then she will study intelligence and international security at King's College after which she will return to US to study law.
Lemert aims to encourage nations like China, Iran, and Russia to adopt the freedom that countries like US and UK provide.