GREENVILLE, S.C. — Three Furman University seniors have been awarded Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships for the 2009-10 academic year and will study abroad under a program designed to foster better international understanding.

Kyle Beaulieu, a double major in political science and philosophy from Gouverneur, N.Y., will study at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. Abby Elsener, a double major in history and political science from Cincinnati, Ohio, will study at the University of Capetown in South Africa. Ali Pauluhn, a double major in French and political science from St. Louis, Mo., will study at the College of Europe in Brugges, Belgium.

Beaulieu, a graduate of Gouverneur High School, is the son of David Beaulieu of Gouverneur, N.Y., and Romona Beaulieu of McDonough, Ga. He has studied abroad in Latin America, France and South Africa. A member of Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society, he is on the Riley Institute advance team, was a Barack Obama presidential campaign volunteer and plays intramural sports.

Elsener, a graduate of Anderson High School in Cincinnati, is the daughter of Mary and Mark Elsener of Cincinnati. She is a Herman W. Lay Scholar and has worked on The Paladin, the student newspaper, and the Riley Institute advance team. She is a member of the Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society, Kappa Delta Sorority and the College Democrats.

Pauluhn, the daughter of Michael and Rachel Pauluhn of St. Louis, is a graduate of Lutheran High School North in St. Louis. She has studied abroad in Versailles, France. A member of several honor societies including Phi Eta Sigma, she teaches French at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and is a member of the Furman club swim team and College Republicans.

The Ambassadorial Scholarships are the Rotary Foundation's oldest and best-known program. Since 1947, nearly 38,000 men and women from about 100 nations have studied abroad under the program.

Today it is the world's largest privately funded international scholarships program.

The purpose of the program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies.

While abroad, scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country.

Rotarians worldwide fund the program believing that today's Ambassadorial Scholars are tomorrow's community and world leaders.

For more information, contact the Furman News and Media Relations office at (864) 294-2307.