Jinghao Lu, who in addition to pursuing a master's of international affairs is also completing his undergraduate studies within the Schreyer Honors College in economics and sociology, was one of only three students awarded this year's Ardeth and Norman Frisbey International Student Awards. Lu is also the outgoing president of the International Student Council. Established in the early 1990s by Ardeth Frisbey, who was at the time associate director of the (then-named) International Students Office, these awards recognize exemplary contributions to international understanding by full-time graduate and undergraduate international students. Each award recipient receives a scholarship.
A native of China, Lu studied abroad in Ghana in the fall of 2009 and wrote his honors thesis on "The Relationship Between Chinese Immigrants and Ghanaians in Accra, Ghana." As president of the International Student Council, he served as an advocate for the international student population and has worked to integrate international students into major student organizations such as the University Park Undergraduate Association and the Off Campus Student Union. He has also made international students more visible in town-gown relations through his State College Borough summer internship with Mayor Elizabeth Goreham.
“Jinghao is most deserving of this award,” said Dr. Tineke Cunning, Director of Career Services for the School of International Affairs. “He is setting a high standard for future undergraduate students interested in working toward a master's degree while completing undergraduate studies. He has an amazing work ethic.”