University seniors Joshua Geltzer and Patrick Cunningham have won Marshall Scholarships, which provide funding for American college graduates to study at a British university for two years in any subject.
Cunningham, an English major on the creative writing track, will study comedic writers from the late Victorian period at Oxford University.
Geltzer, a Wilson School major, will likely study trans-Atlantic relations at either King's College London or Oxford University.
"It will be very useful to study that dialogue [between Britain and America] from the other perspective and to get to know British culture," Geltzer said.
Geltzer said he learned he won the scholarship after receiving a phone call on Nov. 13, during Ivy Club's casino night.
"I was thrilled," he said. "It was the perfect night."
Graham Burnett, a history professor and former Marshall scholar, screened Geltzer's application before it received the University's endorsement.
In an email, Burnett described the scholarship as "a life-changing experience for me. . . . [It] generously supported my years in the U.K."
John Fleming GS '63, an English professor who wrote one of Geltzer's recommendations, said he was glad a student as deserving as Geltzer will be able to participate in this cultural interaction.
"He is one of the most outstanding students I've met here in many years," Fleming said.
Cunningham said he will study the influence of comedy writing on society.
"I'll look at history to find groups of comedic writers who were socially influential, so that I can do it on my own as a comic to an equal effect," Cunningham said.
Michael Wood, an English professor who wrote a recommendation for Cunningham, said he found his personality unique among a pool of focused candidates.
"He is an interesting mixture of a clever and funny guy with strong academics," Wood said. "That's very unusual."
Cunningham said he is especially grateful to Assistant Dean of the College Frank Ordiway, who coordinates postgraduate fellowship advising for students.
He also thanked his parents and former University provost Neil Rudenstine '56, who recommended Cunningham.
"I'm completely baffled by the next two years," Cunningham said. "It's just really amazing. I'm very grateful."
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