Malvern Resident Pursuing Fulbright in Welsh Harp in Wales

Kathryn Hockenbury '18 is the Sixth Lebanon Valley College Student Fulbright in Three Years

Annville, PA (10/11/2018) — Fulbright Enables Triple Harp Research for Local Student

A student from Malvern, Pa., has just embarked on a postgraduate research degree at Bangor University after receiving a highly prestigious Fulbright Award while a senior at Lebanon Valley College. And, she's the sixth LVC student to receive a Fulbright in the past three years.

Kathryn Hockenbury '18 is also the first recipient of the Fulbright Bangor University Award. This award enables students from the U.S. to study a master's degree or the first year of a doctoral degree program in the field of Celtic Studies, Creative Writing, or Ocean Sciences. It has been made possible through a combined fee waiver from the University Award to cover living costs made by The Bangor Fund, through generous donations to by the university's alumni community.

Wales was the only destination for Hockenbury and there was no better place for her study than Bangor University's School of Music and Media as her master's (MRes) research is on the iconic Welsh triple harp.

"Bangor University caught my eye with its award-winning education and stunning architecture, but the primary reason I chose Bangor was to be surrounded by the spectacular bilingual culture that creates the setting for my historical research on the Welsh triple harp," said Hockenbury. "Over the course of my education at LVC, I forged opportunities to complete independent research projects that fulfil my passion of studying instruments and how they develop over time."

She added, "The MRes Music course that I am approaching with the same enthusiasm is perfect for my desire to explore the history of instruments. Here in Bangor, there are many opportunities for me to learn about the Welsh harp and to connect with professors who have the same passion.

During the past few weeks, I met people from the university and community who were welcoming and willing to engage in cultural exchange. I cannot thank the Fulbright Commission and Bangor University enough for allowing me the chance to study here. I look forward to participating in societies and ensembles, as well as completing my research."

Among them, Hockenbury met Professor John G. Hughes, vice chancellor of Bangor University.

"We have hosted the Fulbright Summer Programs for a number of years," noted Hughes. "These attract some of the brightest and most enquiring young minds in America and it has been an honor to share Wales' history and culture with them. I'm so pleased that as an institution we are deepening that relationship by inviting a promising young student to study with us for a year."

Sheila O'Neal, executive director of development, added "Many of our graduate community are actively involved with the university and we value the contributions they make to support current projects at Bangor University. This is one of a number of ways in which our Bangor Fund is able to support students wanting to study at the university."

The Fulbright Commission manages a range of flagship international educational exchange programs between the U.S.A. and other nations and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

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