1. Welcome to
Romanian Alumni
Community
Romanian Alumni Community
Monthly Newsletter
Bucharest, January 31, 2011
Volume I, Issue 1
Alumni News
From Alumni
Grant Opportunities
Table of Contents
Alumni News ► U.S. Alumni and Grantees
 Romanian Alumni Community on State Alumni  Forthcoming Photography Book by Kathleen
 Romanian Alumni Community Logo Design Contest Laraia McLaughlin, U.S. Fulbright Alumna
 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF)  Laura Mattes, U.S. Fulbright Grantee in
 Free Access to Journals, Articles, Magazines and Romanian Media
More on State Alumni Online Research Center  Humanitarian Article Featuring Daniel Beers,
 Romanian and U.S. Alumni Meeting Ms. Karene Grad U.S. Fulbright Alumnus and Kymber Beers, In-
Steiner, Fulbright Program Officer at the Bureau of tern at the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission
Educational and Cultural Affairs  News from Martin Woodside, U.S. Fulbright
 Forthcoming Fulbright Anniversary Volume Alumnus
 United Nations Videoconference Organized by
From Alumni Staci Defibaugh, Fulbright ETA in Sibiu
► Romanian Alumni and Grantees
Grant Opportunities
 Cezar Ghioca’s “Postcard from Home”  Now open: Teaching Excellence and
 Award Granted to Cristiana Grigore, Romanian Achievement Program
Fulbright Alumna  2012 Fulbright International Science and Tech-
 New Publication on Romanian-U.S. Diplomatic nology Program
Relations  2012-2013 Junior Fulbright Award
 New Publication in Anthropology  Scholarship from the GE Foundation
 Excellence Awards for Dr. Vasile Puscas, Romanian  More Grants and Funding Opportunities on State
Fulbright Alumnus Alumni
 New Book by Valentin Cojanu, Romanian Fulbright
Alumnus
Alumni Information
 New Articles by Ioana Moldovan, Romanian Fulbright
Grantee
 New publication by Mihaela Precup, Romanian Alumni Links
Fulbright Alumna in 2006-2007
https://alumni.state.gov/romania www.fulbright.ro 1

2. Bucharest, January 31, 2011
Volume I, Issue 1
Alumni News
Romanian Alumni Community on State Alumni
The Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission and the U.S. Embassy in Romania are pleased
to announce the launch of the Romanian Alumni Community on the State Alumni website:
https://alumni.state.gov/romania
The Romanian Alumni Community is a password-protected platform that offers Romanian exchange
alumni, as well as U.S. exchange visitors to Romania, the opportunity to continue their exchange ex-
perience and enhance networking between its members. This community is specific for all past and
current Romanian participants of U.S. Government-sponsored exchange programs to the United
States, as well as for Americans who have had a similar exchange to Romania.
This is your community! Help to build it by sending articles, news, sharing ideas, pictures and profes-
sional opportunities. Find out about upcoming local events, stay connected with fellow alumni, find in-
formation about alumni-related programs and research funding opportunities.
Romanian Alumni Community Logo Design Contest
Help improving the image of the Romanian Alumni Community on State Alumni by designing a logo for
your community. All logo concepts are welcomed. The main ideas of Romanian Alumni Community are
networking, sharing educational and cultural experiences, promoting projects and ideas, using funding
and researching opportunities, sharing information on exchange programs and being part of a global
community. The logo will be included on the Romanian Alumni Community, State Alumni website
(https://alumni.state.gov/romania) and on all Alumni Community informational materials (e.g. news-
letters, flyers, etc). The logo contest is opened to all past and current Romanian participants of U.S.
Government-sponsored exchange programs to the United States, as well as for Americans who have
had a similar exchange to Romania.
Format: The Community logos should be saved as .gif or .jpg files and the preferred dimensions are
280x96 pixels.
Selection: All logos will be included in a Photo Gallery on https://alumni.state.gov/romania and the
winner logo will be selected through public vote.
Prize: The winner will receive a formal award certification and the Fulbright Anniversary Volumes, in-
cluding the third forthcoming volume. The winner will also receive credit and wide exposure on the
State Alumni and Fulbright websites.
Deadline: March 15, 2011
Send your Community logo designs to loredana.bucuroaia@fulbright.ro
Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF)
The Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) offers alumni of U.S. government-
funded exchange programs the opportunity to partner with other alumni and U.S.
missions abroad on innovative projects. The world faces a number of complex
global issues and the goal of AEIF is to spur innovative ideas to address them on a
local, national, regional and international level. Alumni can submit a proposal up to
$35,000 USD in the following categories or combination thereof: Democracy and
human rights, Economic opportunity and prosperity, Women’s empowerment, Pro-
moting a better environment, Food security, Global health and Outreach to mar-
ginalized communities.
All alumni and current participants of U.S. government-funded exchange programs
are eligible to participate in AEIF with the condition to be or to become a verified member of the State
Alumni website. More details soon on:
https://alumni.state.gov/home/news-discussion/alumni-spotlight-alumni-innovative-engagement.
https://alumni.state.gov/romania www.fulbright.ro
2

3. Bucharest, January 31, 2011
Volume I, Issue 1
Alumni News
Free Access to Journals, Articles, Magazines and More on State
Alumni Online Research Center
The State Alumni Online Research Center collection includes seven research
databases. Registered members can access FREE full-text journals, articles,
magazines, podcasts, books, transcripts, multimedia references, newspa-
pers, maps, pictures, audio-video files on a wide range of topics and more!
Also, the State Alumni Online Research Center includes the COS Funding Op-
portunities™ database which contains more than 22,000 records representing over $33 billion in fund-
ing. This database is international in both content and audience, providing access to funds from public
and private sector sponsors around the world. Researchers, scholars, and other professionals in all dis-
ciplines can find timely and relevant information required to secure the funding to advance their work.
Visit the Online Research Center at: https://alumni.state.gov/online-resources/online-research-center.
Romanian and U.S. Alumni Meeting Ms. Karene Grad Steiner, Fulbright Program Officer at
the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
On January 24, a reception in honor of Ms. Karene Grad Steiner, Fulbright Program Officer at the Bu-
reau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State was hosted at the Romanian-U.S.
Fulbright Commission. The reception was a great opportunity for Romanian and U.S. Fulbright alumni
and grantees to meet Ms. Karene Grad and share their Fulbright experience, accomplishments and
projects.
Forthcoming Fulbright Anniversary Volume
On June 3rd, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission launched two volumes to celebrate 50 years of
formal educational and cultural exchanges between the United States of America and Romania. The
first volume, 50 years of the Fulbright Program in Romania reviews and acknowledges all the land-
marks, achievements and activities of the Fulbright Program in Romania. The second volume, On Edu-
cation. New and Fresh Perspectives includes a wide variety of articles presenting the academic experi-
ences of several Romanian and American Fulbright professors and researchers.
The third Fulbright anniversary volume - Fulbright Ripple Effect on International Education. Looking
Ahead from a Romanian & American Perspective - will be published in February, 2011 and offers wide
perspectives on the Fulbright program by inviting some of the main actors in the program to give an
account of their Fulbright experience. Thank you to the contributors of all three volumes!
https://alumni.state.gov/romania www.fulbright.ro
3

4. Bucharest, January 31, 2011
Volume I, Issue 1
From Alumni
► Romanian Alumni and Grantees
Cezar Ghioca’s “Postcard from Home”
Cezar Ghioca, Romanian Fulbright alumnus was among the runners-up of
Postcards from Home photo contest on ExchangesConnect. Entrants were
asked to creatively share personal perspectives on their own homes and
cultures through a photograph and a brief description. Two grand prize
winners and 18 runners-up were chosen from more than 2,300 entries
from 120 different countries. Congratulations, Cezar!
The photo is available at:
http://connect.state.gov/photo/sunset-hits-the-hills.
Award Granted to Cristiana Grigore, Romanian Fulbright Alumna
Cristiana Grigore, Romanian Fulbright Alumna at Vanderbilt University was granted
Special Mention award for Academic Excellency by the League of Romanian Students
Abroad. The awarding ceremony took place at the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest,
on January 6. Cristiana Grigore is now in her second year of Masters’ studies at Van-
derbilt University, where she is specializing in Education. Congratulations, Cristiana!
New Publication on Romanian-U.S. Diplomatic Relations
Second volume in the series United States of America and Romania continues with a
study on diplomatic relations between the two countries in the period 1912-1919.
Authors of the present volume are Drs. Bernard Cook, a Provost Distinguished Pro-
fessor of History at Loyola University, New Orleans, and Dumitru Preda, Diplomat
and Professor in history and political sciences, both of them alumni of the Fulbright
Program. The book addresses the period before and shortly after WWI, an ex-
tremely dynamic historical age, which deals with a series of major events in Roma-
nian history, including participation in the war and the making of Greater Romania.
Worth mentioning is that the first volume of the series on Romanian-American dip-
lomatic relations was published – ten years ago - by Professor Preda together with
Dr. Keith Hitchins, the first American Fulbright Scholar in Romania, back in 1960,
and Dr. Miodrag Milin, a Fulbrighter as well. United States of America and Romania.
Diplomatic Relations 1912-1919, published by Cavallioti Publishing House, will be
launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gafencu Hall, on Wednesday, February 9.
New Publication in Anthropology
Dr. Andrei Soficaru, Fulbright Scholar in a research program at Ohio University has informed us on the
publishing of The Prehistory and Paleontology of the Pestera Muierii (Romania), a monograph in the field
of anthropology. The volume was published by ERAUL 124 Publishing House, the editors of the Univer-
sity in Liege, Belgium, end of 2010, and was co-authored by Adrian Dobos (himself a Romanian Ful-
bright alumnus), Andrei Soficaru & Erik Trinkaus. Details at http://www2.ulg.ac.be/prehist/
PUBLICATIONS/ERAUL/eraul124.html.
https://alumni.state.gov/romania www.fulbright.ro 4

5. Bucharest, January 31, 2011
Volume I, Issue 1
From Alumni
Excellence Awards for Dr. Vasile Puscas, Romanian Fulbright Alumnus
Professor Vasile Puscas, Romanian Fulbright alumnus and former chief negotiator of
Romania with the European Union (EU) was recently awarded with the Excellence Tro-
phy 10 for Romania but also with the honorary title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the
University of Oradea as an appreciation of his excellent scientific and academic activity
and especially of his contribution to Romania’s joining the EU. Congratulations to Dr.
Puscas! Read more about the awards at http://www.financiarul.ro/2010/12/11/
professor-vasile-puscas-is-doctor-honoris-causa-of-oradea-university/ and http://
www.stiridecluj.ro/politic/vasile-puscas-a-primit-trofeul-de-excelenta-10-pentru-
romania-.
New Book by Valentin Cojanu, Romanian Fulbright Alumnus
Valentin Cojanu, Fulbright Alumnus at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
published a book entitled Logica Rationamentului Economic (Logics of Economic
Reasoning). The main point for discussion proposed in the book is creating a new
logic in economic and social sciences reasoning. The author assumes an ambitious
objective as there are no similar papers in Romania. The book published in a criti-
cal moment for discussions regarding economic reform, argues that the economic
crisis is due not to a lack of reform solutions, but to directing solutions towards a
logic that complicates understanding economic problems. In the acknowledgment
section of the book the author expresses his gratitude for the support offered by
the Commission through the Fulbright Senior Award from which he benefited in
2007-2008. Our warm congratulations to Mr. Cojanu and wishes of further suc-
cess!
New Articles by Ioana Moldovan, Romanian Fulbright Grantee
Articles published by Ioana Moldovan, Romanian Fulbright grantee at University of
Southern California Los Angeles, in Revista 22:
http://www.revista22.ro/wikileaks-nu-e-un-watergate-9586.html;
http://www.revista22.ro/reac355ia-la-sacrificiu-9282.html;
http://www.revista22.ro/articol-9235.html.
New publication by Mihaela Precup, Romanian Fulbright Alumna in 2006-2007
[Inter]sections is a quarterly publication of the American Studies Program at the Univer-
sity of Bucharest, edited by Mihaela Precup, Fulbright junior scholar at Yale University in
2006-2007. The Vol. 3, No. 12, Fall/Winter 2010 edition of the [Inter]sections publica-
tion also includes and article by Monica Stancu, Junior Fulbright alumna, currently MA
student in the second year at Sarah Lawrence College, NY. The publication can be
downloaded at http://www.americanstudies.ro/libs/docs/1295371185-71185.pdf.
https://alumni.state.gov/romania www.fulbright.ro 5

6. Bucharest, January 31, 2011
Volume I, Issue 1
From Alumni
► U.S. Alumni and Grantees
Forthcoming Photography Book by Kathleen Laraia McLaughlin, U.S. Fulbright Alumna
Kathleen Laraia McLaughlin, photographer and U.S. Fulbright alumna in 2002-
2003 is publishing her first book entitled The Color of Hay: The Peasants
of Maramures. The book will be released in March, 2011 and includes pho-
tos made during her Fulbright grant in Romania. An internationally exhibited
photographer, Kathleen Laraia McLaughlin was awarded a number of grants
for her work in Romania, including a Fulbright Senior Scholarship, an IREX
IARO Grant (National Endowment for the Humanities) and a Houston Center
for Photography Fellowship. Her images have appeared in LensWork, Range-
finder, B&W Magazine, Black + White Photography (UK) and The Times Sat-
urday Magazine. More details about the book and about Kathleen’s work at
www.colorofhay.com and www.klmphoto.com/.
Laura Mattes, U.S. Fulbright Grantee in Romanian Media
The link below features an article in one of the top Romanian newspapers,
Adevarul (The Truth) about Laura Mattes, a 2010–2011 Fulbright grantee. The
article describes Laura’s work teaching classes at local universities and high
schools about gender, sexuality and HIV/AIDS discrimination. Laura’s commu-
nity blog, which encourages youth to share and discuss experiences and opin-
ions about their own sexuality, gender identity and body image, is also high-
lighted in the article. She notes meeting with a lack of openness and discussion
in Romanian families and society regarding these issues, thus making it all the
more important to start a dialogue amongst young Romanians.
Read the entire article at: http://www.adevarul.ro/locale/bucuresti/
Laura_Mattes_preda_educatia_sexuala_in_scolile_Capitalei_0_414558627.html
Humanitarian Article Featuring Daniel Beers, U.S. Fulbright Alumnus and Kymber Beers, In-
tern at the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission
Fulbright, a life-changing program? It certainly was for Daniel and Kymber
Beers, who met in Romania back in 2007, while Kymber was an intern at the
Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission and Daniel was a Fulbright Junior
Grantee performing research on judicial reform and the rule of law in Romanian
and Eastern Europe in general.
They are both committed to the values of democracy and are ready to take ac-
tive roles in bringing about positive changes in countries they have visited. This
time, their concern focused on Haiti. Daniel and Kymber were two of the many
who decided they had to do something to help the people in Haiti recover after
the catastrophic quake.
To read the entire story, please visit
http://www.galesburg.com/newsnow/x1254725594/Couple-gets-Hands-On-in-
Haiti-recovery.
https://alumni.state.gov/romania www.fulbright.ro 6

7. Bucharest, January 31, 2011
Volume I, Issue 1
From Alumni
News from Martin Woodside, U.S. Fulbright Alumnus
Martin Woodside, U.S. Fulbright Alumnus in 2009-2010 just sent us news
regarding his translations of Romanian poetry, borne largely out of his Ful-
bright time in Romania. A featured section of the poems translated will be
published in the next issue of Poetry International, in June 2011. That same
month, the volume Of Gentle Wolves: an Anthology of Romanian Poetry will
be published by Calypso Editions. Until the volume is published, Martin in-
vites you to a poetry reading event on February 8, in New York. Details at
http://mhpbooks.com/event.php?id=535.
United Nations Videoconference Organized by Staci Defibaugh, Fulbright ETA in Sibiu
On Monday, January 17, 2011, a group of Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu students
took part in a videoconference with two United Nations interpreters. This videoconfer-
ence was organized by Sylvain Audet, a French lecturer at ULBS and Staci Defibaugh,
the current Fulbright ETA in Sibiu. The students were notified of this opportunity in
November and were required to submit questions in French and in English in order to
be considered for the videoconference. From this process 11 students, most of whom
are studying French and English in the Applied Modern Languages program, were se-
lected for participation. On Monday, they were given the opportunity to ask these
questions to Penelope Macdonell and Anne-Catherine Boudot, current UN interpreters.
The students learned about the process of applying for inter-
preting positions, including high profile positions working for organizations like
the UN, what a typical workday entails, what some of the difficulties are and
how they can prepare for a career in this field. Overall, the videoconference was
a great success. The students gained a lot of valuable information and everyone
enjoyed the discussions and interesting stories the interpreters shared with the
group.
Useful Links
 United States Government Alumni
Community
https://alumni.state.gov/
 Romanian Alumni Community
https://alumni.state.gov/romania
 U.S. Embassy in Bucharest
romania.usembassy.gov
 Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission
www.fulbright.ro
 Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission
Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/
Romanian-US-Fulbright-
Commission/10150095647155008
https://alumni.state.gov/romania www.fulbright.ro 7

8. Bucharest, January 31, 2011
Volume I, Issue 1
Grant Opportunities
Now open: Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program
Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program is a program of the Bureau of Edu-
cational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State that will provide inter-
national teachers with unique opportunities to develop expertise in their subject
areas, enhance their teaching skills and increase their knowledge about the United
States. TEA consists of a non degree, non-credit customized academic program,
including coursework and intensive training in teaching methodologies, lesson plan-
ning, and teaching strategies for home classroom environments, as well as the use
of computers for Internet, word processing, and as teaching tools. The Romanian
applicants are invited to submit applications no later April 15, 2011.
More details at http://www.fulbright.ro/news/428-teaching-excellence-and-
achievement-program.html.
2012 Fulbright International Science and Technology Program
Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission announces the 2012 International Fulbright Science and Tech-
nology Program for Ph.D. study at top universities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
focused fields (STEM). Candidates can be BA and MA students from both public and private universities
in Romania. International Fulbright Science and Technology program provides tuition, a monthly stipend
for up to three years, health and accident coverage, a book and equipment allowance, roundtrip travel.
After three years, U.S. universities either fully fund or work with the grantee to identify funding options
for Ph.D. degree completion. More details on www.fulbright.ro starting with February 1st, 2011.
2012-2013 Junior Fulbright Award
Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission is pleased to announce the 2012-2013 Junior Fulbright Award pro-
gram for masters’ study or research in the United States. Applicants are Romanian BA, MA, PhD stu-
dents and young researchers from both public and private universities. The Junior Fulbright award pro-
vides: international travel, tuition and university fees within established budget limits as well as acci-
dent/sickness insurance, monthly maintenance allowance, books and supplies allowance. More details on
www.fulbright.ro starting with February 7, 2011.
Scholarship from the GE Foundation
Through the GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders Program, outstanding second year undergraduate students
studying in Romania are awarded a total of 3000 Euros, a shadowing day opportunity with GE, and par-
ticipation in a regional Leadership Development Program. Applicants should be coming from the follow-
ing fields: economics, management, engineering or technology. They should demonstrate good aca-
demic standing as well as leadership potential. Application deadline: March 4, 2011. More details on
www.scholarshipandmore.org.
More Grants and Funding Opportunities on State Alumni
For more grants and funding opportunities please visit https://alumni.state.gov/online-resources/grant-
opportunities. State Alumni subscribes to COS Funding Opportunities™, the largest, most comprehen-
sive database of available funding. It contains more than 25,000 records representing over $33 billion in
grants, fellowships, prizes, and more. Features include:
 Opportunities by sponsors throughout the world for recipients throughout the world.
 Sponsors include private foundations, public agencies, national and local governments, corporations
and more.
 Monies available for work in all disciplines: physical sciences, social sciences, life sciences, health &
medicine, arts & humanities.
 Funding for many purposes, such as research, collaborations, travel, curriculum development, con-
ferences, fellowships, postdoctoral positions, equipment acquisitions, capital or operating expenses.
https://alumni.state.gov/romania www.fulbright.ro 8

9. Bucharest, January 31, 2011
Volume I, Issue 1
Alumni Information
Join STATE ALUMNI Romanian Alumni Community
The State Alumni website is a dynamic, Help to build the Romanian Alumni Community
interactive secure community for more than by sending articles, news, sharing ideas, pictures
1,000,000 alumni of exchange programs. and professional opportunities. Find out about
upcoming local events, stay connected with fel-
►Network with other alumni from around the globe low alumni, find information about alumni-related
► Share information about exchange programs and programs and research funding opportunities.
alumni activities with a global audience
►Participate in Q&A Live discussions with experts If you would like to submit an article,
►Access resources such as grants, jobs and research announcement of an event, testimonial, job or
databases grant opportunity, please contact the alumni
►Access more than 20.000 free periodicals, newspa- coordinator at: loredana.bucuroaia@fulbright.ro.
pers and more.
Visit the Romanian Alumni Community on
In order to enroll, visit the site https:// https://alumni.state.gov/romania
alumni.state.gov and click on “Join Now” or “Click
here to register”. Please wait for verification and
confirmation of your account by the administrative
team of the State Alumni website.
Alumni Links
United States Government Alumni U.S. Embassy in Bucharest
Community
Romanian-U.S. Romanian-U.S. Fulbright
Fulbright Commission Commission Facebook Page
Romanian Alumni Community
If you wish to cancel your subscription to this newsletter contact loredana.bucuroaia@fulbright.ro
This Newsletter is produced by the Romanian Alumni Coordinator, through ECA In-Country Alumni
Coordinator Award, Number S-RO100-10-GR-067 (2010-2011)
9