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Nine undergraduates from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, representing eight academic majors, will study in Asia during the spring 2009 semester as Phillips Ambassadors.

The students have been awarded scholarships for study in China, Singapore, India, Thailand, Vietnam and Korea. The Phillips Ambassadors program in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences chooses ambassadors each year based on academic achievement and commitment to activities, service and leadership roles in the classroom and community.

The program has sent 49 undergraduates to Asia since its launch in 2007. This spring, the total will increase to 58 as the new ambassadors embark on innovative study abroad experiences. A quarter of the scholarships are reserved for qualified undergraduate business majors and minors from UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.

High Point and Chapel Hill businessman Earl N. “Phil” Phillips Jr. created the program with a generous gift to the college in fall 2006. Phillips, a business executive and former U.S. ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean region, earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Carolina in 1962. He is a former chair of UNC’s Board of Trustees and of N.C. Citizens for Business and Industry.

“The 21st century belongs to Asia,” Phillips said. “To me, studying abroad is not a question – it is the answer. My long-term goal is for every Carolina undergraduate to have an international experience before they graduate.”

Phillips Ambassadors can choose from 54 different academic programs in Asia, including 15 in greater China and 10 in India. For more information, visit www.phillipsambassadors.org.

The spring 2009 Phillips Ambassadors, with their Asian destinations and academic majors, are listed below, alphabetically by North Carolina hometown and by state:

North Carolina:

Charlotte
Elliott Davis, Singapore, business administration, Kenan-Flagler Business School
Justin Loiseau, Vietnam, environmental studies and economics, Institute for the Environment, College of Arts and Sciences
Katlin Smith, Singapore, business administration, Kenan-Flagler Business School

East Bend
Patrick Dowd, India, English and cultural studies, College of Arts and Sciences

Fayetteville
Cheryl Blake, Singapore, international and area studies, College of Arts and Sciences

Magnolia
Christine Ezzell, Thailand, business administration, Kenan-Flagler Business School

Pittsboro
Melissa Megginson, Korea, international and area studies and communication studies, College of Arts and Sciences

Julia Wood, Thailand, public health, Gillings School of Global Public Health 

Maryland:
John Ames of Annapolis; China, business administration, Kenan-Flagler Business School

Photo note: Photos are available on request. Call (919) 843-4454.

Phillips Ambassadors contact: Janet Walters, (919) 843-4454, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
College of Arts and Sciences contact: Kim Spurr, (919) 962-4093, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it