Luther College senior and alum awarded Fulbright Teaching Assistantships in Germany for 2024-25

DECORAH, IOWA—A Luther College senior and recent alum both received Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships for the 2024-25 academic year. Robert Clower, class of 2023, and senior Amy Webb will spend the year abroad immersing themselves in German language and culture as well as improving their students’ English abilities and knowledge of the United States.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. Every year, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program selects more than 2,000 students, artists and early-career professionals to teach English and undertake research abroad. Fulbright awards are given based upon leadership potential, academic achievement and record of service.

Fulbright winners have gone on to win Pulitzer Prizes and Nobel Prizes, as well as gone on to become leaders in a number of sectors, including government, business and education. 

Robert Clower 

Robert Clower, class of 2023

Clower, of Grinnell, Iowa, graduated from Luther in 2023 with a degree in music. He also minored in German during his time on campus, which is why he applied for the Fulbright award. 

“Working in public schools in Germany will allow me to continue this cross-cultural learning with hands-on experience in the classroom,” Clower said. “Interacting with Germans in an environment like a classroom will help immerse me in the culture.”

While at Luther, Clower found that studying music and German simultaneously gave him a fresh perspective on the world. Learning a new language helped him become a better musician as well. He played oboe in Luther’s Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra. He also studied voice and sang in Collegiate Choir. He spent a month in Austria rehearsing and performing with the Symphony Orchestra as part of their renowned Vienna Residency program. 

“I cannot imagine being successful with oboe over the last two years if I had not started taking German; it allowed me to learn to think in a different way,” Clower said. 

Amy Webb

Amy Webb, class of 2024

Webb, of Waverly, Iowa, is a double major in international studies and German with a minor in English. Webb felt the Fulbright program was the natural next step after college to pursue her interests in language and culture. 

“I heard about the Fulbright program from my first German class here at Luther, and ever since it had been on my mind to apply,” Webb said. “I loved the prospect of not only being able to live and work in Germany, but also act as a cultural ambassador and strengthen relations between countries and with people from different cultures.”

Webb plays violin in the Luther Symphony Orchestra and traveled to Austria with the group for the Vienna residency. She is a member of the Sigma Tau Delta English honor society and the Delta Phi Alpha German honor society; later this month she will be inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Webb also serves as the president of Luther College Model United Nations and the Luther Association of Gamers. 

“I have found that traveling fosters open-mindedness, empathy, self-confidence, and enhances one’s personal development,” Webb said.  

After completing the program, Webb plans to pursue an advanced degree in library sciences or international relations. She plans to take these values into her future education and career. 

About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.