ALVA, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education selected Belinda Garvie, an English major at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma, as a Brad Henry International Scholar.
Garvie, a junior from Tuttle, Oklahoma, will spend the spring 2027 semester studying at Swansea University in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom.
“Being selected for the Brad Henry International Scholarship means I have the honor to represent our school overseas,” Garvie said. “This university has given me so many wonderful opportunities, just like this one. I’m excited to share my Ranger (and Oklahoman!) pride with the new people I’ll meet and learn more about Welsh culture as well as life in Wales.”
Garvie’s parents, grandparents and great-aunt also attended Northwestern, and she said she has been going to homecoming since before she could walk.
Brad Henry International Scholarship Details
- Scholar: Belinda Garvie, Northwestern junior English major and psychology minor from Tuttle, Oklahoma
- Award: Brad Henry International Scholarship from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
- Host university: Swansea University in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
- Semester: Spring 2027
- Funding: Tuition and lodging for a full semester, plus a stipend for expenses such as airfare to and from the UK, passport fees and textbooks
- Recommended by: Charity Lyon, adjunct instructor of communication, and Dr. Taylor Randolph, assistant professor of psychology
Pre-Law Goals and Campus Leadership at Northwestern
Garvie plans to attend law school after graduation.
“This experience will be giving me a small glimpse into what law school will be like,” Garvie said. “I’ve never really been far from home — I was raised homeschooled, and moving three hours away to Alva felt crazy in its own right — but I don’t plan on attending law school in Oklahoma. My dream school is Harvard Law, which is, unfortunately, a bit far in comparison to our local state schools.”
Garvie added that this opportunity will help toward building independence and gaining other valuable lessons.
Her leadership roles at Northwestern include:
- President and founder of the Pre-Law Society at Northwestern
- Vice president and a senator in Northwestern’s Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature delegation
- Secretary of the Writer’s Roundtable
- Member of the Student Government Association
- Member of the Psychology Club
Legal Internship and Work Experience
Last summer, Garvie interned with the Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office.
She currently works as a library student employee at Northwestern. She has also worked at the Tuttle Public Library.
Faculty Recommendations and Academic Advising
Garvie is working closely with her adviser, Dr. David Vaughan, to select the classes she will take at Swansea University. Vaughan is chair of Northwestern’s Department of English, Foreign Language and Humanities and assistant professor of English.
“I’m a bit of a nerd, so although it was difficult to narrow down what I wanted to take, the result is sure to make one amazing semester,” Garvie said.
Charity Lyon, adjunct instructor of communication at Northwestern, and Dr. Taylor Randolph, assistant professor of psychology at Northwestern, recommended Garvie.
Vaughan said his department is incredibly proud of Garvie.
“She is an amazing student, and studying abroad at Swansea University will be a wonderful opportunity for her to grow as a student and person,” he said.
About the Brad Henry International Scholarship Program
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education established the Brad Henry International Scholarship program in June 2008. The Regents provide a stipend for students selected to participate in semester-long study or research programs affiliated with Swansea University.
A committee of State Regents’ staff selects recipients based on their excellent academic performance, outstanding communication skills, exemplary character, and exceptional leadership, maturity and judgment.
“I’m also pretty excited to go whale sighting, although a bit random — it’s rare, but humpback whales have been seen on some wildlife tours,” Garvie said.
Read about the Brad Henry Scholarship program at Northwestern
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Media Contact:
Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
Email: sjdoherty@nwosu.edu
Phone: 580-327-8480