Tuesday, September 24, 2002

WILMINGTON, NC – Even before Sept. 11, 2001, the U.S./Middle East divide interested Durham native Evian Patterson. As a recipient of a prestigious Fulbright grant, the 2002 UNCW graduate will study firsthand the cultural and religious distinctions between these two regions.

“As an American, I’m particularly interested in learning why we are so separated,” said Patterson, who will spend a year at the International Language Institute in Cairo, Egypt, learning about Arab language and culture.

Patterson, who is the son of Thomas and Rose Patterson, received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and religion from UNCW. He said he aspires to complete graduate work in Islam and international affairs, earn a doctorate and teach at a university.



“There is much to learn about the Middle East,” said Patterson who is scheduled to leave the U.S. in mid-October. “I am interested in the historical interactions between the West and Islam, and the Middle East is the core for Islamic study.”



He added that Fulbright grants “provide a wonderful opportunity to represent America positively through academic study in many corners of the world.”

Patterson is UNCW’s third student awarded a Fulbright grant from among those who applied during the 2001-02 academic year, a record for the university. He recognized several faculty members for inspiring him to further his studies.

“I’d like to thank Drs. Herbert Berg, Samuel Murrell and George Zervos (professors in the Philosophy and Religion Department) for writing such strong recommendations as well as the members of the university’s Fulbright advisory board – Drs. Don Habibi, Lisa Pollard and Yousry Sayed,” said Patterson. “

The Fulbright Program, America’s flagship educational exchange program, is sponsored by the U.S. Information Agency, an independent foreign affairs agency within the executive branch of the U.S. government. Established in 1946 under Congressional legislation by Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the program is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

For more information, contact Evian Patterson at 919/484-4049 in the evenings or via e-mail at eep3366@uncwil.edu. For more information on UNCW’s Fulbright Program, contact Dr. Raymond Burt at 910/962-3660.