Swimmer Liz Halet Named Fulbright Scholar
April 26, 2010 | Swimming & Diving
April 26, 2010
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University of Louisville swimmer Liz Halet has been named a Fulbright Scholar, the first Cardinal student athlete ever to earn this prestigious award. The English major plans to spend a year abroad teaching English in the country of Taiwan.
"We are very proud of her," said U of L head coach Arthur Albiero. "She represents everything that embodies the student athlete ideal: talent, vision and flawless work ethic. She had some lofty goals prior to college and I am honored our program played a small part in helping her fulfill them."
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries." With this goal as a starting point, the Fulbright Program has provided almost 300,000 participants--chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential -- with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.
Halet was an outstanding swimmer for the Cardinals this year as she earned All-American honors at the NCAA Championship as part of the women's 200-free relay team that finalled and scored at the 2010 Championship meet in W. Lafayette, Ind.
The native of Brooklyn Park, Minn. competed in six events during the BIG EAST championships and earned All-BIG EAST Honors. In her first event, the 800 free relay, she posted a split time of 1:48.77 and helped her team to a 7:20.40 third place finish and a national B cut. In the 50-yard freestyle she finished sixth with a time of 23.11. She helped set a pool record in the 200-yard free relay where she swam a split time of 22:20 for a total team time of 1:30.08 and a first place finish. This relay time also qualified for the national B cut. In the 200 freestyle, she came in fourth with a time of 1:49.27, making the national B cut. Her 100 free time of 50.23 earned her a fourth place finish and a national B cut. Liz's last event, the 400 free relay, saw another pool record and national B cut with a split time of 49.20 and a team finish of 3:20.00.
"One of the main things that attracted me to the University of Louisville is its commitment to developing all aspects of a person," said Halet. "U of L provided me with a challenging and multi-faceted course load, an eclectic student population, the best athletic department in the nation, a phenomenal support/advising staff, and access to a multitude of organizations. There is no doubt in my mind that attending the University of Louisville is what allowed me to reach my highest potential in both the swimming and academics. U of L facilitated my passion for learning and gave me the tools to think critically and welcome the unknown-- which will greatly aid me on my Fulbright endeavor."
Halet had a double major of both English and humanities with a concentration in Cultural Studies. She also minored in psychology and Spanish. As well as the responsibilities and time commitments of being an elite athlete at the NCAA Division I level, Halet is also a member of the Honors College and is a Student Ambassador.
"Liz Halet is exactly the NCAA athlete we want to see prosper. She did not take the easy way, and she never will," said U of L NCAA Faculty Representative Elaine Wise. "Her coursework has been hard with a double major and minors in traditional fields, and her choices have been directed toward challenges yet to come."
