Source: James Hohenbary, 785-532-6904, jimlth@k-state.edu
Photos available. Download at http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jun11/629chrislemon.jpg; http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jun11/629sofiapablo-hoshino.jpg; and http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jun11/629vanhorn.jpg
News release prepared by: Jennifer Torline, 785-532-0847, jtorline@k-state.edu

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

GLOBAL LEARNERS: THREE K-STATERS NAMED 2011 FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS

MANHATTAN -- Two Kansas State University graduate students and one recent graduate have received 2011 Fulbright U.S. student scholarships for study abroad.

The recipients are Kyle Van Horn, a May 2011 graduate in German, Abilene, who will travel to Germany; Christopher Lemon, a graduate student in modern languages and pre-law, Belpre, who will travel to Germany; and Sofia Emi Pablo-Hoshino, a graduate student in political science, San Francisco, Calif., who will travel to Venezuela.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers international fellowships for study, research or teaching English as a second language. Scholars receive round-trip transportation, tuition and a monthly stipend for one academic year abroad.

"The Fulbright program is very well known and creates an excellent opportunity for students who have a global outlook and the desire to make connections with and learn from others around the world," said James Hohenbary, K-State assistant dean for nationally competitive scholarships. "It's exciting to know that Kyle, Chris and Sofia will have the chance to reap those benefits and represent Kansas State University internationally next year."

The Fulbright program aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. It was established under legislation introduced by late Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas and is administered by the Institute of International Education. Fulbright recipients are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement as well as leadership potential.

Van Horn will travel to Lower Saxony, Germany. Starting in September, he will be working in a classroom as an English teaching assistant instructing students at an intermediate level. Following his year abroad, he hopes to pursue a career in postsecondary education and German. At K-State, he also earned a minor in biology. He was an officer in Students for Environmental Action, a co-Student Bicycle Coordinator and a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He graduated from Abilene High School in 2006 and is the son of John and Laura Poister, Gulf Breeze, Fla.

Lemon will travel to Germany, where he will teach English and be involved with the local community. He decided to go to Germany because of his interest in the country's culture. For the past two years he has taught various levels of German language courses at K-State. Lemon received the Giessen Scholarship in 2006 to study at Justus-Liebig University in Giessen, Germany, for the 2006-2007 academic year. At K-State he has been involved with the Student Finance Association and was president of the German Club. Lemon graduated from K-State in 2009 with a degree in finance and graduated from Larned High School in 2003. He is the son of Robert Lemon, Wichita, and Juanita Lemon, Belpre.

Pablo-Hoshino will travel to Venezuela, where she will teach English at a university in Caracas. She will also volunteer with a community organization focused on women's rights and education. She decided to go to Venezuela because she was interested in the country's political climate and Afro-Venezuelan movement. At K-State, Pablo-Hoshino is an assistant residence life coordinator with West Hall and Smurthwaite Scholarship/Leadership House. She has been the facilitator of two alternative spring breaks: a trip to the Dominican Republic in 2010 and a trip to El Salvador in 2011. She is a member of Fire, a feminist organization in the K-State community, and she is an adviser for RISE, a student organization that uses community building and workshops to assist first-year students in their transition to college. She has received a multicultural leadership award and a Cultural and Community Harmony Week scholarship. Pablo-Hoshino graduated from Syracuse University in 2009 with a degree in mathematics and she attended Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco. She is the daughter of Enric Pablo and Valerie Hoshino, both of San Francisco.