Katherine (Kate) Burnham ’23 and Jacquelin (Jackie) Prunier ’23 have been awarded Coccia Foundation Scholarships for study in Italy in 2022. Burnham is a psychology and sociology major and will study in Milan through the IES Abroad: Italy Today program, and Prunier, a Hispanic studies major, will participate in Middlebury's program in Florence.
Burnham said “I've been looking forward to studying in Italy since my first Italian class my first semester of freshman year. Italy offers me the perfect opportunity to explore my passions for food, music, and sports from both a personal and sociological perspective.”
Majors: Psychology, Sociology
Hometown Glencoe, Ill.
High school: New Trier High School
At Hamilton, she sings in the College Choir, manages the Jitney, and is a member of the club hockey team.
Prunier, who is currently studying in Spain through Hamilton’s Academic Year in Spain (HCAYS), said “I am most looking forward to living with an Italian host family. I’m currently staying with a Spanish host family through( HCAYS) and the experience has been nothing short of amazing so far.
“My host family has been kind and accommodating with me as I've transitioned to life here in Madrid and I've noticed my Spanish has improved drastically so I cannot wait to have the opportunity to live with a family in Florence,” said Prunier.
Major: Hispanic Studies
Hometown: Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
High school: Cornwall Central High School
The Coccia Foundation was established in 1994 by Cavaliere Joseph Coccia, Jr., and his wife Elda. The organization is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Italian culture, with a particular emphasis on promoting the rich Italian cultural heritage among younger generations at the college level.
