Senior is WMU's second Udall Scholar in two years
April 25, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- A senior honors student from Western Michigan University is the school's second recipient of a prestigious scholarship for environmental studies from the Morris K. Udall Foundation.
Jacquelyn Styrna of Commerce, Mich., is one of 80 Udall Scholars from around the nation who will receive $5,000 for tuition, fees, books and room and board for the 2001-02 academic year. An environmental studies and political science major and member of the Lee Honors College, Styrna is currently serving as an intern with the Michigan Environmental Council in Lansing, Mich. She also has volunteered with WMU's Students for a Sustainable Earth, and worked as a field manager for the Sierra Club and Human Rights Watch through the Campaign to Save the Environment. Styrna plans to travel abroad and work for a nonprofit public advocacy organization following her April 2002 graduation, and hopes to pursue graduate studies in environmental law and policy.
Styrna follows in the footsteps of WMU senior Heather Gott, who became the University's first Udall Scholar last year. Both students were nominated for the award by Dr. John E. Martell, assistant dean of the Lee Honors College.
"The Udall Scholarship is the nation's top award for students of environmental studies and public policy," says Martell. "Jacquelyn has distinguished herself as one of the best students in this field. It's a tremendous compliment to the University, our students and our environmental studies program to have two consecutive Udall Scholars."
More than 500 undergraduate students applied for Udall Scholarships this year--the highest number of applicants ever. Other winners hail from institutions such as Yale, Cornell, Brown and Colgate universities. Styrna is one of only two Udall scholars from Michigan universities.
WMU senior Jill Winkler of Berkley, Mich., received an honorable mention in the competition. Also nominated by Martell, Winkler is an environmental studies major and member of the Lee Honors College.
Established by Congress in 1992 to honor the late Arizona congressman and his legacy of public service, the Morris K. Udall Foundation operates an educational scholarship program designed to provide opportunities for outstanding U.S. students with excellent academic records. Scholarships are granted to those who demonstrate a commitment to fields related to the environment, and to Native American and Alaska Native students in fields related to health care and tribal public policy.
Styrna is the daughter of Ray and Suzanne Styrna of Commerce, Mich., and Winkler is the daughter of Carol and Paul Winkler of Berkley, Mich.
Media contact: Jessica English, 616 387-8400, jessica.english@wmich.edu