The Fulbright Scholar Program is the largest educational exchange program. It provides merit-based grants to students, professors, professionals and artists, among others, to promote an international knowledge base. Inherently humanistic, the exchange of people, ideas and skills actively works to cultivate unity on a global scale.

Since the program’s beginning, NC State has had more than 65 scholars accepted to the program. One recipient, Robert Kochersberger, an associate professor of journalism, won the honor three times. 

For Kochersberger, the title is synchronous with his students’ admiration, along with his love of teaching.

Kochersberger grew up in western New York. Early on, he uncovered a passion for writing. As an aspiring young writer often does, he wrote for his high school’s paper, bolstered by the encouragement of an admired teacher. But, unlike many young writers, he kept writing. He studied journalism in college, writing for a local paper simultaneously. 

Later, Kochersberger wrote for several papers throughout the state of New York, working in high-energy, smoky newsrooms stocked with booze and swear words. The thrill that came with this environment — brimming with “bright, funny, enthusiastic and curious people” — when breaking news was unfolding was unequivocally stimulating, Kochersberger said. But he had another calling. 

“It was in my genes to help people learn,” Kochersberger said. “I come from a family of teachers.”

Kochersberger began teaching journalism in NC State’s English department in 1986. He received his first Fulbright in 1991.

“I really didn’t know what I was getting into,” Kochersberger said. “I knew I wanted to do a Fulbright, and I wanted a country in Europe that was going to be different — but not too different. Yugoslavia seemed to fill the bill.” 

He taught in the northwestern-most part of Yugoslavia in a city called Ljubljana from January to June of 1991. Ten days after returning to the United States, internal conflict in Yugoslavia led to the autonomy of the same region, now called Slovenia, in which he taught. In 2003, he returned to the same area on a second Fulbright. 

“It was kind of unique — I was in the very same place, but I was in a brand new country,” Kochersberger said.

Kochersberger also received a Fulbright of a shorter duration, in which he traveled to Thailand and Egypt.

“You see things you would not have seen [otherwise],” Kochersberger said. “You have the chance to live in another country for a duration — which is really different from just visiting. I always tell my friends, ‘Once I’ve had a haircut in a new country, then I know I’m really there for the duration.’”

While teaching at State, Kochersberger routinely contributed to The News & Observer, operating as a freelance writer. He has covered a wide variety of topics, ranging from aviation to the death penalty. He draws from his own experiences for much of his work, some of which are easier to address than others.

In 2014, Kochersberger finished third place in “Jeopardy.” In 2015, he won a cooking contest with a Cuban dish called Picadillo, which his college girlfriend taught him to make. His second home is a beautiful, secluded farm in Pennsylvania. He’s currenty teaching in Nitra, Slovakia, on his third full-length Fulbright.

However, Kochersberger has faced hardships as well. July 5, 2007, his son, Charlie, committed suicide. Kochersberger is currently writing a memoir, “Sorry to Freak You Out,” about his son. 

“He was a wonderful person — funny, handsome, musical, well-educated and kind … I’ll never forget any second of his life,” Kochersberger said. “It’s important that students know this sort of tragedy can strike a normal, even ‘special’ kind of family.”

The experience transcends beyond his personal life, beyond his written reflections. It’s made manifest in his interactions with students and his compassion for others. 

“He really wants to be a resource, to make it known he’s available if you’re troubled,” said Rod Cockshutt, emeritus lecturer in the journalism department. “He’s a caring and open person … always willing to listen.”

Currently, Kochersberger is working for the Department of British and American Studies at the University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra, Slovakia, teaching a writing course and an American studies course.

Kochersberger is returning to NC State in the spring of 2017.