20 Hungarian & U.S. Fulbright alumni gave papers at the AHEA – American Hungarian Educators Association 49th Conference at University of Pécs. Established in 1974, AHEA is a vibrant organization promoting academic and cultural exchange between Hungary and the U.S. As a network of professors and researchers from both sides of the Atlantic, AHEA is dedicated to advancing educational partnerships and research on all aspects of Hungarian society, history, culture as well as American-Hungarian connections.

• Enikő Bollobás (’86 ’95 University of Oregon / ’04 UC San Diego): The Evolution of American Studies in Hungary, 1970s to the Present (KEYNOTE)
• István Tarrósy (’12 University of Florida): The Internationalization of Higher Education in a Changing Geopolitical Context: The Case of the University of Pécs (PLENARY)
• Éva Mathey (’02 Rutgers University): Hungarian Ministers in the US during the Interwar Period – Count László Széchenyi and János Pelényi
• Kinga Szálkai (’24 Oregon State University): Hungarian Perceptions of the American ‘Indian’
• Sabrina Pasztor (’23 Corvinus University of Budapest): Contemporary communicative practices of American-Hungarians
• Anna Fenyvesi (’24 West Virginia University): American Hungarian cemeteries: A linguistic landscape
  “Hungarian Roots & American Dreams”: Preserving Heritage and Forging Transatlantic Connections
• Agnes Zsofia Kovacs (’04 SUSI): Detecting Borders in Contemporary Hungarian Crime Fiction
• Tibor Glant (’00 The George Washington University / ’15 TCU – Texas Christian University): Setting the Rules for “Business as Usual”: Establishing Bilateral US-Hungarian Relations, 1919–1925
• Zita Tóth-Shawgo (’11 Pittsburgh Allderdice High School): Pittsburgh-based Global Learning: Local Communities as Resources and Partners
• Mónika Fodor (’17 Cleveland State University): Moral stance in intergenerational trauma memory narratives
• Mihály Fülöp (’03 The George Washington University): “Transylvania (Or The Greater Part Thereof)” : How the Hungarian‒Romanian border was debated by the Great Powers (1940‒1945)
• Tamás Stark (’13 Nazareth University): The Memory of “Malenkij Robot”. Historiography and Memory Politics about the fate of Hungarian POWs and Internees in Soviet Labor Camps
• Éva Petrás (’16 Marquette University): The Power of Words – The emigrant activity of István Barankovics, 1949-1974
• Lynn Hooker (’11 Hungarian Academy of Sciences): Hungary’s Rajkó Ensemble at home abroad: Socialist Cultural Diplomacy or Capitalist Commodity?
• Ghislaine Mayer (’21 University of Pécs): Exploring the Pros and Cons of Student Peer Mentoring
• Sarah Lucas (’16 Hungarian Academy of Sciences): The Writings of Conductor Fritz Reiner
• Enikő Maior (’17 Central Connecticut State University): Talent development at Partium University
• Li-Lee Tunceren (’23 Eszterházy Károly Catholic University): Teaching Freedom in a Hungarian High School
• Dénes Mátyás (’15 Cleveland State University): A Common Platform for Sustainable Education: A Joint Online Course by Fourteen Hungarian Universities
• Ashton Bliss (’24 HUN-REN Centre for Social Sciences): Overcoming Transatlantic Isolationism through Feminism

Concert at the Pécs Cathedral by Sándor Balatoni (’14 University of Rochester, organ) and Jennyfer Schultz (soprano) followed by a reception was sponsored by the Fulbright Commission.

U.S. Fulbright Student Conference AY 2024-2025 gave an opportunity to 15 American student & English Teaching Assistant grantees at the Fulbright Program to present on the progress of their projects in Hungary.

Special thanks to US scholar section chairs Paul Bolt, James Sellers and Jim Meriwether for their contribution.

• Keith Murray (HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics): V1 Signatures of Generative Computations in a Discrimination Task
• Chandler Camarena (Eötvös Loránd University): Recalibrating Cybersecurity for a Quantum World
• Jonathan Clayton (Eötvös Loránd University): Going with the Flow: A Study on Contaminant Transport in the Hungarian Water Supply
• Olivia Murr (Fulbright EducationUSA Advising Center / Eötvös Loránd University): Cultural Exploration Through Education and Advising
• Alexandra Ravano (American Corner Pécs / Gandhi High School): Teaching is a Two-Way Street: Cross-Cultural Exchange as the Roma Student Initiative ETA in Pécs
• Ali Dadawalla (Semmelweis University): Investigating Astrocytic Autophagy During Aging Using Directly Reprogrammed Human-Induced Astrocytes
• Ashton Bliss (HUN-REN Research Centre for Social Sciences): The Cost of Autocracy: Correlating Decreasing Gender Equality with Democratic Backsliding
• Kristen Herbert (University of Szeged): Mingle, a Crime Novel, and a Survey of Contemporary Hungarian Crime Fiction
• Rupali Chowdhry (Semmelweis University): Examining the Role of Stigma, Perceived Social Support, and Illness Acceptance on Mental Health Care Service Utilization among Cancer Patients in Hungary
• Larkin Cleland (HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences): From Ghetto to Gozsdu: Exploring Gentrification in Erzsébetváros
• Lydia Cornett (University of Theatre and Film Arts / National Film Institute – Film Archive): Fieldwork in Frames: Documenting Science, Art, and Industry in Hungary
• Temitope Famodu (University of Debrecen): African Migrants Making Place in Hungary
• Claire Benjamin (Eötvös Loránd University): Measurement-Based Quantum Computing using Tetrapod Architectures
• Genevieve Welch (Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music): Choral Conducting in Budapest: An Exploration of Pedagogical Practices, Rehearsal Technique, and Amateur Singing
• Noah Aire (Corvinus University of Budapest): Lost in Translation: Commercializing Hungarian NLP in a Post-Soviet Startup Culture

We were delighted to welcome back Prof. Scott M. Campbell (’07 Fulbright) to Hungary, this time with his students from Nazareth University!

Their visit kicked off with a fascinating lecture on Hungarian history at the Fulbright Office, followed by a guided tour of beautiful Budapest led by our very own American Program Officer, Annamária Sas.

The cohort also actively participated in the vibrant America Week 2025 events in Veszprém, co-organized by the University of Pannonia, English and American Studies Institute and American Corner Veszprém.

Did you know this annual event, celebrating U.S.-Hungarian ties, was initiated 17 years ago by Prof. Campbell during his time as a Fulbright Program scholar at University of Pannonia? This incredible connection has blossomed into a sister college relationship and even a joint master’s degree program!

The opening remarks at America Week were delivered by Fulbright Board member and U.S. Embassy Budapest Cultural Attaché Melissa Quartell, who spoke passionately about the vital work of American diplomats, the historic bonds between the Hungarian and American people, and the powerful impact of exchange programs like Fulbright and FLEX.

It was fantastic to see students and professors from Nazareth University contributing as speakers and immersing themselves in cultural exchange activities in Veszprém. America Week at the University of Pannonia sparked insightful discussions on the strong U.S.-Hungarian connections.

This story truly highlights how participating in an exchange program creates a ripple effect, benefiting not only the individual grantee but their entire community.

A huge thank you to Prof. Campbell and Szilárd Szentgyörgyi (’15 Nazareth U #Fulbright) for their incredible 17-year partnership in fostering these invaluable connections between their institutions!

From ancient ruins to cutting-edge tech! Our March Fulbright meeting took US grantees on a fascinating journey through Budapest, exploring Aquincum Museum’s Roman history & Graphisoft Park’s innovative spirit.

The day began with an exploration of Kolodko Art’s miniature sculptures along the Danube, setting a playful tone for the day.

The group then delved into ancient history at the Aquincum Museum, learning about the Roman military and civil town’s pivotal role as the capital of Pannonia Inferior. Highlights included the museum’s displays on the Legio II Adiutrix, the city’s golden age under Septimius Severus, and the eventual transition to the Huns.

Centuries later, in 1778 an Óbuda winegrower discovered the remains of Roman underfloor heating while digging pits. The origin and role of the remains was recognized by a university librarian, who connected them with the town of Aquincum.

The afternoon shifted to modern innovation at Graphisoft Park. Marcel Hillier, Product Marketing Expert, presented on Graphisoft SE and its flagship architectural BIM software. Grantees were also treated to a glimpse of tech history:

* the world’s first Steve Jobs statue, commissioned by Graphisoft founder Gábor Bojár. The relationship between Graphisoft and Apple can be traced to the 1980’s, when Jobs came across the first version of Graphisoft’s Archicad software.

* the world’s first statue of Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto

The group also learned about the establishment of AIT-Budapest, which offers study abroad programs for North American computer science students.

The event showcased the diverse cultural and technological landscape of Budapest, offering grantees a comprehensive experience of the city.

9 returned Hungarian alumni of the Fulbright Program of 2023-2024, and 2024-2025 academic years presented on their teaching/research and personal experience in a public conference

Special thanks to US scholar section chairs Joseph Tanke ’24 and Lourenco Paz ’24 for their contribution and Judit Kádár ’12 representing the Alumni Association.

• Bálint Bordács (’23 Georgetown University): Similarities and differences of antitrust law and competition law
• Andrea Szávó (’24 The University of Texas at Austin): On a novel distinction between lexical and superlexical resultatives in Hungarian
• Márton Varjú (’23 Temple University): The right that never was. Comparative reflections on the right to healthcare in post-war USA and Central European University
• Ágota Szekeres (’24 BYU): Testing the peer-nomination method supported by the SMETRY framework in an intercultural context
• Gergő Fekete (’24 University of Wisconsin-Madison): ‘Should I stay or should I go?’ A Fulbright TEA journey of learning, growth and reflection
• Kinga Szálkai (’24 Oregon State University): Roll On, Columbia: Lessons from the Modernization of the Columbia River Treaty
• Bálint Fazekas (’24 The University of Utah): Virtual Material Design Based on Micromechanical Progressive-damage Simulations
• Borbála Takács (’24 Adelphi University / UC Santa Barbara): Theory vs. Practice – Professional and Personal Experiences on How Sports Can Reduce Prejudice and Foster Inclusion
• Zoltán Elek (’23 Boston University): My Self-Discovery Journey as a Humphrey Fellow

Hungarian architects of 1956 – an article on Gabor Lorant (’00 Budapest University of Technology and Economics – BME #Fulbright) in Építészfórum online architecture magazine.

Interestingly, Gabor’s life bears striking similarities to the Hungarian architect László Tóth, portrayed by Adrien Brody who recently won The Academy Oscar for best actor for this role in “The Brutalist”. While Tóth is a fictional character, the parallels between his career trajectory and Gabor’s, particularly the experience of exile and the subsequent navigation of a new architectural landscape, are undeniable.

Born Zsitvay Gábor Lóránt (1930-2005), he was invited by Frank Lloyd Wright to settle in Phoenix, Arizona, after the 1956 revolution.

One of America’s most famous architects was in his 90s at the time, but the influence of his design approach still left its mark on the young Hungarian architect’s work, at least in terms of the use of materials and the construction of form. His buildings, with their south-western solutions, are faithful to tradition, but at the same time contemporary, human-scale and adaptable to the needs of their users.

In 1963 he set up his own practice, Gabor Lorant Architect. Over 30 years under his leadership, they designed and constructed buildings of various functions in 42 states and 3 countries.

Beyond his design work, Gabor made significant contributions to the field through his technical manual, “Seismic Design Principles,” a vital resource for constructing earthquake-resistant structures.

Gabor Lorant’s story is a testament to the enduring legacy of Hungarian architects, particularly those who, like many in 1956, were forced to forge new paths in foreign lands. His work stands as a bridge between cultures, a tangible representation of the enduring spirit of Hungarian architectural ingenuity.

For a glimpse into Gabor’s architectural legacy, visit:
epiteszforum.hu/56-os-magyar-epiteszek-gabor-lorant

Alum Book launch in Szeged: Hungarian Roots & American Dreams by co-editor Anna Fenyvesi (’24 West Virginia University #Fulbright)

The book explores the rich tapestry of experiences connecting Hungary and the United States.

A packed room at the Szeged Szent-Györgyi Albert Agóra on February 7th buzzed with excitement for the launch of “Hungarian Roots & American Dreams.” The event, celebrating the new book drew an audience of approximately 120, with many more joining online. Editors, 17 contributing authors, family members, colleagues, and community members were all in attendance.

The launch also served as a reunion for Fulbright alumni, with Ágnes Fülemile (’98 Rutgers University & ’92 UC Berkeley / The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York), Anita Kéri (’22 San Jose State University), and Bertalan Takács (’23 UC San Diego) among those present.

The program featured an impromptu lecture by ethnographer Balázs Balogh, who authored the volume’s introduction. Following his talk, three of the book’s authors shared compelling stories from their families’ histories, bringing the book’s themes to life.

“I want to thank all our authors for sharing their stories – we wouldn’t have a volume without you!” said co-editor Fenyvesi.

The English version of the book is available for purchase on Amazon.

Photos from the event were taken by István Roboz.

The U.S.-Hungary Fulbright Commission recently welcomed its newest cohort of American grantees to Hungary with a comprehensive 2 + 1-day orientation program.

The program kicked off with two days of presentations covering a range of topics designed to prepare the scholars for their time in Hungary, including U.S.-Hungarian cultural differences and connections, history, language, higher education, politics, and practical matters.

On the 3rd day, the Commission organized a guided walking tour of City Park (Liget Budapest.), showcasing landmarks such as

• House of Music, Hungary (Magyar Zene Háza)
• George Washington statue
• Museum of Ethnography (Néprajzi Múzeum)

The tour provided the grantees with an opportunity to explore Budapest’s cultural offerings and connect with Hungarian heritage.

In observance of U.S. National Day of Mourning, the Hungarian-American Fulbright Commission for Educational Exchange would like to commemorate the legacy of the 39th President, James Earl (Jimmy) Carter.

His presidency left a significant mark on Hungary, where he is remembered for returning the Holy Crown to the people of Hungary in 1978. A symbol of a thousand years of Hungarian statehood, the Crown had been in U.S. custody at Fort Knox since the end of WWII.

The event and the resultant good feeling enabled the first Fulbright grants in 1979.

President Carter traveled to Budapest in 1996 as the keynote speaker of the Spirit of Global Understanding conference (picture) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Global Fulbright program.

The Humphrey Fellowship Program was also founded by President Carter in 1978 with the intent to create a program that embodied the values of democracy, social justice, and a desire to assist the world’s developing nations.

His death marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, moral clarity, and service.