Randolph College Junior Earns Honorable Mention from Udall Foundation

LYNCHBURG–A Randolph College student has once again earned recognition from the prestigious Udall Foundation. Louise Searle ’12, who is majoring in environmental studies, was awarded an Honorable Mention in the 2011 Udall Scholarship competition.

The Udall Scholarship for Excellence in Environmental Policy (www.udall.gov), established in honor of Morris and Stewart Udall, recognizes students who are outstanding leaders for environmental issues on campus, as well as being top-notch in their academics.

“The Udall Foundation honor recognizes Louise not only as a top-tier student academically, but as an effective leader on environmental issues,” said Karin Warren, the Herzog Family Chair of Environmental Studies and the Udall Scholarship faculty representative on campus. “Louise has made lasting and wonderful contributions to our community through her outstanding work in the organic garden and the Red Door Coffee House, and as a member of the Sustainability Council. I expect great things from her during her senior year at Randolph College, and beyond.”

Searle follows in the footsteps of other students previously recognized in the scholarship competition: Naomi Hollifield Ondrasek ’06 (Udall Scholar), Katelin Shugart-Schmidt ’10 (Udall Honorable Mention), and Ludovic Lemaitre ’11 (Udall Scholar). “It is exceptional for a small college such as we are to have this many scholars and honorable mentions,” Warren said.

For 2011, 80 students from 61 colleges and universities were named as Udall Scholars. Fifty Honorable Mentions were also awarded. Searle is one of two students in Virginia to receive an Honorable Mention. Only one Virginia student was named a Udall Scholar.

“This impressive Scholars class represents the best and brightest; they are the future environmental and tribal leaders in this country. The Udall Foundation is thrilled to help them advance their education,” said Terrence L. Bracy, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Udall Foundation.

Each scholarship provides up to $5,000 for the Scholar’s junior or senior year. Honorable Mentions will receive a $350 award. Since the first awards in 1996, the Udall Foundation has awarded 1,234 scholarships.

The Udall Foundation is an independent federal agency established by Congress in 1992 to provide federally funded scholarships for college students intending to pursue careers related to the environment, as well as to Native American students pursuing tribal policy or health care careers.