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Duke Alumna Awarded Luce Scholarship

The award provides stipends for living and professional placement in Asia.

Ryan Brown, a 2011 Duke University graduate, has won a Luce Scholarship for 2014-15. Brown currently works as a freelance journalist and is a master's student in African Studies at the University of Oxford, in England.

Eighteen scholars were chosen from among 155 nominees. The award provides stipends for living and professional placement in Asia. Established in 1974 by the Henry Luce Foundation of New York City, the fellowship program's goal is to enhance the understanding of Asia among potential leaders of American society.

"I am thrilled to have won such a unique fellowship," Brown said. "It will give me a chance to have deep exposure in Asia for an entire year, with intensive language instruction."

While at Duke, Brown was a Robertson Scholar. She served as associate editor of "Towerview Magazine," Duke's undergraduate student news magazine; editor–in-chief of Duke's undergraduate literary magazine, "Duke Archive;" and senior staff writer and columnist for "Duke Chronicle," the Duke student newspaper.Brown, a native of Denver, lived in South Africa as a Fulbright fellow from September 2011 through September 2012. She has written for a number of publications, including The Christian Science Monitor, with a focus on Africa. She also published a book, "A Native of Nowhere: The Life of South African Journalist Nat Nakasa."

Brown ultimately wants to work as a long-form magazine journalist in Africa. She believes the Luce experience in Asia will help gain a better understanding of Asian countries doing business and building diplomacy with African countries. Brown's exact location and internship in Asia will be finalized at a later date.

"I plan to really immerse myself in this cultural experience," Brown said. "I'm excited for this new chapter in my life."

She begins her fellowship orientation in New York City at the end of June.