IIE Europe Newsletter

Through the program so far GE has provided a competitive edge to 494 talented students from the CEE region, helping to build a regional network of leaders and contributing to the development of the region's human capital.

Annual scholarships of 1,500 euro were presented by Budapest Bank President & CEO George Zolnay to each of the eight Hungarian winners of the GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders Program at an award ceremony in Budapest on May 12, 2014. As part of the program, students pursuing their second year of studies at the Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, University of Miskolc, University of Pecs and Pannon University can acquire hands-on knowledge and leadership skills to provide a strong foundation for their future careers.

Following an introduction by Ágnes Vajda Director, IIE Europe,  remarks were made by M. André Goodfriend, Chargé d'Affaires, US Embassy, Dr. Zoltán Maruzsa, Deputy State Secretary, Ministry of Human Resources and William Benkő, President, American Chamber of Commerce.

Click here to see more photos of the ceremony. 

Linda S. Taggart received the Russell Berrie Fellowship in Interreligious Studies at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome during the years 2012-2013.   Professor Taggart is a Roman Catholic who learned to read Biblical Hebrew while earning her mid-life Master of Arts degree (1999) in the academic field of "Religious Studies" at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, Florida, USA. Her USF studies - especially her focus on sacred scripture in world religions - opened the door to a new and rewarding career teaching and leading programs in interreligious education and dialogue for university classrooms, clergy, congregations, and the Tampa Bay community at large. 

Professor Taggart's prior employment experiences in both corporate and governmental agency environments served her well as she transitioned into teaching and leadership roles in both community and academic settings. Within a year of completing her M.A., she was invited to serve on the board of directors of Saint Leo University's Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies (CCJS), and subsequently joined the Saint Leo University (SLU) board of trustees as well.

Over the years, she has designed and taught classes and courses in both interreligious topics and Hebrew Scriptures for Saint Leo University, the University of Tampa, the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg Florida, and Tampa's Franciscan Center. She considers it a great joy to continue her work as an Adjunct Professor in the Philosophy, Theology, and Religion Department at Saint Leo University where she teaches undergraduate college students courses in World Religions and Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures.

"My Russell Berrie Fellowship studies at the Angelicum in Rome have both enriched my understanding and blessed my teaching and service. I am especially grateful for the many gifts I am now able to share with Saint Leo University students from more than 50 countries around the world," says Professor Taggart.

In its sixth year, 47 Fellows are now in, or have matriculated from, the program with either a Certificate, License or Ph.D. in interreligious studies from the Angelicum.

Read Linda S. Taggart's full profile. 

Learn more about the Russell Berrie Fellows.