Two UH Hilo students receive scholarships in support of their global education

Lilia Anderson-Murray is in Australia and Jessica Valdez is on her way to England. The scholarship was founded by Audrey Furukawa, a retired administrator and educator who served at UH Hilo for 30 years. 

Jessica Valdez and Lilia Anderson-Murray
Jessica Valdez and Lilia Anderson-Murray

Two University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo students were awarded the Audrey S. Furukawa Study Abroad Scholarship for fall 2019. The scholarship was created to provide UH Hilo students with an opportunity to begin their global education.

Lilia Anderson-Murray is currently attending James Cook University in Townsville, Australia. She is a marine science major, communication minor and a graduate of Kailua High School.

Jessica Valdez, a graduate of Hilo High School, will be attending the University of Birmingham in England where she will take courses to complement her psychology major and philosophy minor.

“Lilia and Jessica are outstanding UH Hilo students, and this scholarship will provide them the opportunity to develop a greater global perspective through international travel,” says Carolina Lam, UH Hilo director of global education.

The Audrey S. Furukawa Study Abroad Scholarship

Audrey Furukawa
Audrey Furukawa

During Audrey Furukawa’s 30-year career as an administrator and educator at UH Hilo, three personal core values have driven her: family, friendship and opportunity. With the help of her family and friends, she is giving others in her community the opportunity to study abroad.

“I wanted to act on my belief in the personal transformational impact of global education and its ultimate outcome in achieving world peace,” says Furukawa.

Read full story and learn more about the scholarship at UH System News.

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