Press Release
Posted: 4/8/2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Further Information Contact:
Melissa Millage (520) 901-8562
2008 Udall Scholars Announced
Terrence L. Bracy, Chairman of the Board of the Morris K. Udall Foundation, has announced that 80 students from 64 colleges and universities have been selected as 2008 Udall Scholars. They were selected by a 14-member independent review committee on the basis of commitment to careers in the environment, health care or tribal public policy, leadership potential, and academic achievement. The review committee also awarded 51 Honorable Mentions.
The 80 Scholars were selected from among 510 candidates nominated by 239 colleges and universities. Sixty-nine scholars intend to pursue careers related to the environment. Seven Native American/Alaska Native scholars intend to pursue careers in tribal public policy; four Native American/Alaska Native scholars will study healthcare. Each scholarship provides up to $5,000 for one year. Honorable Mentions will receive a $350 award.
The Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation was authorized by Congress in 1992 to honor Congressman Udall's legacy of public service. The Foundation is supported by a trust fund in the U.S. Treasury and contributions from the private sector. There have been 994 Udall Scholars since the first awards in 1996.
Congressman Udall served in the House of Representatives for three decades, a career distinguished by civility, integrity and consensus. His love for the environment resulted in numerous pieces of legislation, chief among them the Alaska Lands Act of 1980, which doubled the size of the national park system and tripled our national wilderness. Congressman Udall also championed the rights of Native Americans and Alaska Natives, using his leadership in Congress to strengthen tribal self-governance.
The 2008 Udall Scholars will assemble August 2-6 in Tucson, Arizona, to receive their awards and meet policy-makers and community leaders in environmental fields, tribal health care and governance.
For a listing of the 2008 Udall Scholars and Honorable Mentions and more information on the Foundation and related programs, visit www.udall.gov or contact Melissa Millage at (520) 901-8562 or millage@udall.gov.
Selected statistics on the 2008 competition
465 nominees were pursuing careers related to the environment
19 nominees were Native American/Alaska Native and pursuing careers related to health care
29 nominees were Native American/Alaska Native and pursuing careers related to tribal public policy
23% of nominees identified themselves as belonging to an ethnic minority
20 nominees were attending a two-year college
Selected statistics on the 2008 Scholars
72% are juniors
67% are women
26% self-identify as Native American/Alaska Native, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, or African-American
3 scholars attend a two-year college
14 students are their institution's first Udall Scholar
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