New London High grad earns Fulbright Scholarship

New London — Jose Gonzalez, a New London native and professor of English at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, has been awarded a 2011 Fulbright Scholarship.

As part of the Fulbright Senior Lecture Program, Gonzalez is scheduled to teach at the University of Barcelona and the Autonomous University of Barcelona in the spring of 2012.

Gonzalez graduated from New London High School in 1985 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and a doctorate in English. He said he enjoys working at the academy, where he works closely with “students who are destined to become tomorrow’s leaders.”

The Fulbright, he said, “offers a unique opportunity for faculty to teach others about our great nation, and in turn, the opportunity to learn about rich cultures outside the U.S.”

Gonzalez, who wants to spread the word about U.S. Latino literature, said he hopes to inspire others to read works by Latino authors.