Darkenwald Recipient of Boren Award
Darkenwald Recipient of Prestigious Boren Award
Scholarship funds language program and study abroad experience in Tanzania
WILBERFORCE, OH - Danielle Darkenwald, a junior History major with a minor in International Languages is Central State University’s first Boren Award recipient. Darkenwald has earned and received many achievements and awards, including the Upper Classman Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, honors certificates (2021 & 2022), excellence in Arabic Languages and cultures award, and outstanding scholar in Pre-law award. She has been a Dayton Urban Young Life Mentor; a part of the NAACP; a council student representative for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI); a member of the Pre-Law Society; an Honors Student at CSU since freshman year, maintaining a 4.0 every academic year; and has completed internships at the American Red Cross, Cleveland Municipal Court, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Her application for the Boren Scholarship began after she met with the Executive Director of the Honors College and International Affairs, Dr. Paul Schlag, about her interest in studying abroad.
“As a Boren Panelist–the body tasked with selecting Boren recipients, I have firsthand knowledge that the Boren is one of the nation's most prestigious scholarships," said Dr. Schlag. “The Honors College and the Center for International Education are always looking to find the right applicant with a passion for studying abroad and with the intent of forging international partnerships to promote security. Danielle’s selection as a Boren Scholar is incredibly impressive as she has become an ambassador for the United States and is poised to become a future leader within the federal government. She has competed against the nation’s top undergraduate students and came out victorious.”
The Boren Award is named after former U.S. Senator from Oklahoma, David L. Boren, who promoted legislation that created the National Security Education Program. Boren scholars and fellows are from diverse fields of study who have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultures of world regions critical to U.S. interests and which are underrepresented in study abroad programs, including Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Boren Awards alumni are committed to public service, applying their language skills, cultural knowledge, and academic credentials in careers critical to U.S. national security throughout the federal government, including the Departments of State, Defense, Homeland Security, and USAID. Boren scholars and fellows make a commitment to work in the U.S. federal government for a minimum of one year. However, preference is given to applicants who demonstrate a desire for a long-term career with the federal government.
Darkenwald will be participating in the African Flagship Languages Initiative (AFLI), which is designed to increase the number of Boren Scholars engaged in the study of critical African languages and her focus will be Swahili. There is both a domestic and an overseas component to the AFLI program. The intensive summer program is designed for Boren awardees who have limited to no experience in the designated language and prepares students for overseas study. The overseas component, which is in the fall, enables Danielle to reach further proficiency in Swahili by funding her study abroad program in Tanzania. The program is carefully designed to make the most of what Tanzania has to offer, including excursions, individual tutoring sessions, and homestays with local families.
Dr. Patrick Anderson, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, said “I am not surprised that Danielle received a Boren Award. She is one of the most disciplined and intelligent students I have had the pleasure of working with. Danielle is certain to make some great contributions to the world, and this opportunity is only the first step.”
Darkenwald chose to attend Central State University because she believed that she did not have to leave her home state to “achieve excellence and acquire an outstanding education.” She loved the convenience of having an HBCU so close to her home and she was drawn to the “unification, student life, and diversity” of the campus. She also knew that once accepted to the Honors College, the resources and offers she would receive would be vast.
Following graduation, she wishes to continue her education and pursue a law degree. After earning her law degree, she plans to complete her Boren Award year of federal service at the Federal Bureau of Investigation in their Intelligence Department. She wants to use her linguistic and cultural expertise as a Data Analyst with their Intelligence Department. Eventually, after her tenure with the FBI, she plans to go into practice. She says, “As I look up to Loretta Lynch, I aspire to one day become the United States Attorney General.”
Darkenwald desires to recognize God for His direction and strength and to thank her family and close friends for their love, support, and encouragement for constantly pushing her to strive for excellence. She also wishes to thank the Board of Trustees and President Jack Thomas for providing her with the outstanding opportunity of being a Trustee Scholar. In addition, she would like to thank Dr. Paul Schlag, Dr. Theresa Aikens, Professor Patrick Anderson, Professor Tyler Baker, and Fulbright Scholar, Tharaa Tawfik, for their endless encouragement, support, and belief in her.
Learn more about Central State’s History and International Languages program at https://www.centralstate.edu/academics/CHAS/index.php and the Honors College at honors.centralstate.edu.
