MESAS Awards
Outstanding Promise in Language Award
Since 2005, MESAS language coordinators have selected and presented awards to students who demonstrate outstanding promise in their first year of language study.
(FYI – I will provide a link to a separate site for archive info)
Mina Geresu and Tsebaot Shewarega, Outstanding Promise in Arabic
Talia Falkenberg, Ellie Long and Matthew Ogden, Outstanding Promise in Hebrew
Anisha Johnson and Aditi Mishri, Outstanding Promise in Hindi
Lily Eyvazzadeh, Outstanding Promise in Persian
Wendy Wu, Outstanding Promise in Tibetan
Valerie Carver, Outstanding Promise in Arabic
Noah Scher, Outstanding Promise in Hebrew
Bushra Eqbal Rahman, Outstanding Promise in Hindi
Paul O'Friel, Outstanding Promise in Persian
Jasmin Lim, Outstanding Promise in Tibetan
Caroline McCormack and Nathan Muz, Outstanding Promise in Arabic
Kylie Hall, Outstanding Promise in Hebrew
Merin Williams, Outstanding Promise in Hindi
Simon Ray, Outstanding Promise in Persian
Amber Chen, Outstanding Promise in Tibetan
Madelyn Haden, Distinguished MESAS Paper Award
Mert Ozbay and Leah Smith, Outstanding Promise in Arabic
Sarah Harari, Outstanding Promise in Hebrew
Sameer Khawaja, Outstanding Promise in Hindi
Mariam Hassoun, Outstanding Promise in Persian
Jae Byun, Outstanding Promise in Tibetan
Michael Connor Keen, Distinguished MESAS Paper Award
Samantha Jazola and Mary Yang, Outstanding Promise in Arabic
Rachel Newman, Outstanding Promise in Hebrew
Marina Stephens, Outstanding Promise in Hindi
Alex Sakni and Sidra Siddiqui, Outstanding Promise in Persian
Kaylee Slade, Outstanding Promise in Tibetan
Zoe Robbin, Distinguished MESAS Paper Award
Amy Johnson Study Abroad Award
Awards were presented based on funding available from 2004 to 2019
2018-19 Aliye Korucu and Yaza Sarieh
2017-18 Rizky Etika and Sarah Samaranayake
2016-17 Guldehan Durman
2015-16 Zeena Lattouf
2014-15 Kate Moran
2013-14 Leah Michalove
2012-13 Abigail Chambers
2011-12 Cynthia Vint
2010-11 no award for this year
2009-10 no award for this year
2008-09 Jessica Lambert
2007-08 Emily Pollokoff
2006-07 Elise Filo
2005-06 Rebecca Hopkins
2004-05 Julia Johnson
Dr. Amy Johnson graduated from Emory University in 1991 with a double major in Middle Eastern Studies and Political Science. After earning her PhD in Modern Middle Eastern History from Harvard University, Amy joined the faculty of Berry College in Rome, Georgia. Following Amy's untimely death in December 2004, her parents, Dennis and Paula Johnson established this award.
As an undergraduate, Amy distinguished herself as a bright young scholar of the Middle East, who showed remarkable commitment to promoting cross-cultural understanding. This award commemorates Amy's legacy at Emory by providing support to students who share Amy's passion for understanding the peoples and cultures of the Middle East.
This annual award, up to $1,000, is to defray expenses arising from studying for a semester or longer in the Middle East. Applicants must be undergraduate female students in good academic standing. Preference will be given to students who plan to study in Egypt, and to students who are majoring in Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies.