Viola student receives $24,000 Rhea Fetzer Scholarship
Nov. 26, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- Freshman Katherine J. "Katie" Lampen of Grand Rapids, Mich., is the second of four Western Michigan University students to receive a four-year $24,000 scholarship, thanks to a multi-year gift from the Fetzer Institute of Kalamazoo.
A music performance major, Lampen received the Rhea Yeager Fetzer Music Scholarship for students pursuing studies in string instruments--violin, viola, violincello or double bass--in the University's School of Music. Lampen, who plays viola, will receive $6,000 toward each of four years of undergraduate study.
Lampen joins sophomore Kristen Tanner, a violinist from Delaware, Ohio, who received the Fetzer Scholarship in 2001. Additional four-year scholarships will be awarded to an incoming string music major in 2003 and 2004.
"I genuinely appreciated the financial support, but what has really been impressive is the interest shown by the Fetzer Institute in my career and progress," says Lampen, who notes representatives from the Fetzer Institute have attended her performances and have met with her and Tanner. "It is very supportive knowing that they take a personal interest in the success of the students receiving these scholarships."
At WMU, Lampen studies under Igor Fedotov, associate professor of music and principal instructor of viola.
"We are deeply grateful to the Fetzer Institute for its support," says Fedotov. "Competition for the best string students is greater than ever. Our ability to provide major scholarship support is absolutely critical to maintaining the quality of our string program, which in turn plays a vital role in our symphony and chamber orchestras, a variety of ensembles and the stature of our School of Music as a whole."
The Fetzer Institute established the four scholarships with a five-year commitment of $96,000 as part of the institute's 2001 celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of institute founder John E. Fetzer. Rhea was John's wife, and institute officers said they wanted to do something as part of the 100th anniversary celebration that would specifically honor her memory.
A graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School, Lampen was a four-year member of the Grand Rapids Youth Orchestra and a three-year member of the Michigan Youth Arts Orchestra. She was a member of the Grand String Quartet and two orchestras at her high school. She attended arts camps sponsored by the Interlochen Center for the Arts, the University of Michigan and WMU. Lampen also has taught viola the past three years. She is the daughter of Marcia and Steve Lampen of Grand Rapids.
Media note: For a high-resolution electronic image of Lampen and her teacher, Igor Fedotov, contact Thom Myers in the WMU Office of University Relations at (269) 387-8710 or <thomas.myers@wmich.edu>.
Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thomas.myers@wmich.edu