SPRINGFIELD, Mo., April 11, 2025 – Drury University junior Zachary Stockton has been named a finalist in the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship Awards program.
This nationally competitive program is part of a U.S. government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity.  Critical Language Scholars gain language and cultural skills that enable them to contribute to United States economic competitiveness and national security.
Stockton, a junior from Topeka, Kan., was one of 500 students chosen nationwide from a pool of more than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate student applications. Finalists were selected from U.S. colleges and universities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
“I am immensely grateful and eager for the opportunity to immerse myself in such a rich culture,” Stockton said. “CLS opens the door to the most enriching element of humanity: connection and dialogue. I’m excited to bring those conversations back and apply them across the globe in my career as a public servant.”
As a CLS Scholar,  Stockton will travel to Arusha, Tanzania, for eight weeks beginning in June.  Stockton will live with a host family and immerse himself in Tanzanian culture and language at the MS-Training Centre for Development Cooperation. As a junior English and Writing major, Stockton is active in BUIC, SAAB, Honors, the Springfield Tenants Union, The Mirror, and the Democrats Club.  Most recently, he represented Drury in Kansas City as a Truman Award finalist.
“This remarkable achievement reflects not only academic excellence but a commitment to cultural understanding and global citizenship,” University Provost Dr. Beth Harville said. “The dedication to mastering a critical language demonstrates the kind of intellectual curiosity and international perspective that we value at Drury.”
Drury students often work with the Office of National Scholarship to help prepare their applications.
“It’s gratifying to know that our students can compete on a national level and make the case for their need for training in understudied languages critical to U.S. diplomacy and ambassadorship,” Dr. Shelley Wolbrink, Professor of History and Fellow for the National Scholarships and Fellowships, said.
For more information on the Critical Language Scholarship program and a complete list of winners, click here.
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