FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - APRIL 6, 2009
Posted: 4/6/2009
THE MORRIS K. UDALL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES THE 2009 UDALL SCHOLARS
Terrence L. Bracy, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall Foundation, has announced that 80 students from 66 colleges and universities have been selected as 2009 Udall Scholars. A 14-member independent review committee selected this year's group of scholars 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 50 Honorable Mentions.
This strong class of Udall Scholars was selected from among 515 candidates nominated by 233 colleges and universities. Seventy scholars intend to pursue careers related to the environment. Six 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.
This prestigious scholarship has generated more than 1,000 Udall Scholars since the first awards in 1996.
The Morris K. Udall Foundation is an independent federal agency that was created by Congress in 1992 to honor Congressman Udall's legacy of public service. 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 Foundation's education programs are supported by a trust fund in the U.S. Treasury and contributions from the private sector. The Udall Foundation also includes the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, which assists in resolving conflicts related to the environment, public lands, and natural resources.
The 2009 Udall Scholars will assemble August 5-9, 2009, in Tucson, Arizona, to receive their awards and meet policymakers and community leaders in environmental fields, tribal health care, and governance.
For a listing of the 2009 Udall Scholars and Honorable Mentions and more information on the Foundation and related programs, visit www.udall.gov or contact Mia Ibarra at (520) 901-8564 or ibarra@udall.gov.
Selected statistics on the 2009 competition
- 482 nominees were pursuing careers related to the environment
- 16 nominees were Native American/Alaska Native and pursuing careers related to health care
- 17 nominees were Native American/Alaska Native and pursuing careers related to tribal public policy
- 15% of nominees identified themselves as belonging to an ethnic minority
- 24 nominees were attending a two-year college
Selected statistics on the 2009 Udall Scholars
- 84% are juniors
- 68% are women
- 21% self-identify as Native American/Alaska Native, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, or African-American
- 3 scholars attend a two-year college
- 12 institutions have Udall Scholars for the first time this year
For additional information, please contact Libby Washburn at (520) 901-8500 or washburn@udall.gov.
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