Emily Behr

UofL senior Emily Behr has been awarded a 2019 Etscorn International Research Award. UofL awards the Irvin F. and Alice S. Etscorn International Summer Research Award to promising undergraduates interested in conducting international research over the summer.

Behr will use the scholarship to work with Palestinian refugees in Tyre, Lebanon, through a program called LEAP (Learning for the Empowerment and Advancement of Palestinians).

“I’m so grateful to receive this award which allows me to connect my music major with my minor in Middle Eastern and Islamic studies. It gives me the humbling opportunity to support and learn from Palestinian refugees and I know this experience will greatly influence my future goals. ”

Collegiate experience

• Areas of Study:

  • Expects to graduate in May, 2020, from the School of Music with a major in jazz studies.

Inspired By

This opportunity would not have been possible without the immensely helpful guidance I received from many people at UofL.

Prof. Khaldoun Almousily and Prof. Shereen Abdelhalim’s Arabic classes prepared me to communicate with Palestinian students in Lebanon. Their kindness and enthusiasm made learning the Arabic language a joyful experience.

Dr. Bethany Smith and Dr. Charlie Leonard’s grant-writing seminar gave me the confidence to apply to the LEAP program. Their constant feedback and encouragement improved my writing exponentially.

Dr. Julie Peteet’s extensive experience working with Palestinian refugees in Lebanon inspired me to pursue a minor in Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies. She graciously shared her expertise with me and wrote a letter supporting my travel to Lebanon.

Prof. Kimcherie Lloyd and Luke Buckman wrote letters of recommendation for me and have always supported me in diversifying my studies. Their encouragement throughout my college career has helped me stay afloat, along with support from the incredible UofL Jazz faculty in the School of Music

Hometown information

• Hometown:

  Nashville, Tennessee

• High school:

  Hume Fogg High School

• Parents:

  Wendy and Iley Behr of Nashville, Tennessee