Bon voyage Fulbright Scholars!

Northeastern State University is proud to announce the online travels of Dr. Les Hannah and Dr. Pamela Louderback. These two acclaimed Fulbright Scholars will embark separately to Northern Ireland and Denmark in a quests to document research, discover truths, develop cultural curriculum and establish international relationships.

First, let's take a look on Dr. Pamela Louderback's upcoming journey.

Many in Oklahoma can recall days gone by when the elders would gather its young around the campfire and tell ancient tales about how life once was for their people long, long ago. Imagine if the opportunity arose that would enable us to venture out and seek the truths to a family’s legendary claims.

Dr. Pamela Louderback, assistant professor and interim director of NSU BA library, has been granted an exclusive opportunity to journey to Northern Ireland to conduct research which will possibly shed light on her ancestor’s past.

Louderback, who was recently announced as a Fulbright Scholar, will travel through a research grant to Queens University Belfast (QUB) in Northern Ireland UK.

The Fulbright Program is one of the most prestigious awards programs worldwide, providing funds for scholars, educators, grad students, advanced research, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools abroad

“The project will examine how educational public policy was used in an effort to obliterate Irish culture,” said Louderback. “The goal is to understand from a broad political context the ways in which British educational public policies were used as an instrument for acculturation and social control.”

Louderback’s mission is to make a connection between the Native Americans and the people of Northern Ireland in a comparison/contrast study to discuss how their cultures were practically vaporized under the pressures of the government’s control. By peering over annals, documents, speaking with indigenous locals and investigating literature, Louderback will attempt to piece together a moment in time.

Louderback, whose heritage is Irish and American Indian (Iroquois Tribe), reflects that early in her life, her family and ancestors have shared many personal stories of their own cultural deconstruction.

“My heritage is of Irish and American Indian descent; my ancestors have shared personal stories of government led cultural deconstruction through education systems.  I wish to explore factual exposition of historical and legal documentation to gain a broader understanding of vaguely detailed historical events,” said Louderback

Louderback’s area of expertise which includes public policy, law, and government related types of research, will leave in November and return in early February.

The Fulbright Scholar programs were established to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills.

“I want to lend credence and have archival data to support the anecdotal stories that I’ve heard growing up and all the things that I’ve read. Because to me as a researcher, not only do I want to do research on archival documentation, I want to add to the research that exists right now,” said Louderback

Louderback future goals are to come back to America early next year and write a book based on her experiences.

“It doesn’t matter where you are or what culture you are from we are all human. The more opportunities you can have to learn about other people, the better you can

understand yourself,” said Louderback.