Dr. Scott Newstok, professor of English and founding director of the Pearce Shakespeare Endowment at Rhodes College, has been granted a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to teach and research during the 2022 fall semester at the Universidad de Murcia Murcia, Spain. The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s highly prestigious international educational exchange program.
Rhodes College faculty have earned Fulbright Awards for 35 years. Newstok will be the fourth Rhodes professor in a row since 2020 to receive a Fulbright. Previous recipients include Cara Djonko-Moore (2021–22), David Mason (2021-22), Catherine Welsh (2020–21), Eric Gottlieb (2004–05), Michael LaRosa (2002–03), Joseph Favazza (1999–2000), Michael LaRosa (1997–98), Susan Kus (1995–96), Thomas McGowan (1994–95), Andrew Michta (1994–95), John Bensko (1991–92), and Susan Kus (1986–87).
Earning two faculty Fulbright Awards in 2021-22 has placed Rhodes College in an elite group of 10 liberal arts colleges as a Fulbright top-producing institution. These Fulbright Awards align with Rhodes College’s Strategic Plan, which commits to Building Academic and Creative Excellence by investing in the professional growth and global engagement of the faculty.
As a Fulbright Scholar, Newstok has been invited to join the University of Murcia research group that studies “The Reception of the Works of Shakespeare in Spanish and European Culture,” led by Dr. Keith Gregor, general editor of the book series Shakespeare in European Culture. Newstok’s Fulbright project will examine the Shakespearean adaptations of acclaimed actor and director Orson Welles filmed in Spain.
Welles’ career has been the subject of Newstok’s research for more than two decades, leading to four published articles as well as lectures at the Shakespeare Institute, Southwestern University, the University of Bradford, the University of New Mexico, Utrecht University, and Yale University. Newstok has previously researched Welles at the Beinecke Library, the Folger Shakespeare Library, George Mason University, the Harry Ransom Center, the Lilly Library, the Schomburg Center of the New York Public Library, and the University of Michigan.
Two of Newstok’s other scholarly projects will be further enriched by his Fulbright—a study of the multi-lingual roots of Shakespeare’s English, and an edition of the educational writings of Michel de Montaigne. Montaigne’s own teachers were trained in 16th century Spain and influenced by the pedagogical theories of the prominent Valencian humanist Juan Luis Vives. Montaigne’s maternal ancestors were reputed to be “Marranos,” or Spanish Jews forced to convert or go into exile.
Newstok previously served as the co-director (with Judith Haas) of Postgraduate Scholarships, helping Rhodes sustain its record as a top producer of Fulbright U.S. Student Awards.
Story updated March 23, 2022