Since 2000 the Environmental Studies Program at OWU has awarded our best graduating seniors the Richard B. Alexander Award for Excellence in Environmental Studies, funded by alumni Richard Alexander.
For 2016, we had two winners.
Emily Webb (below, left), originally from Troy, Michigan, graduated Phi Beta Kappa with majors in Zoology and Environmental Studies. She is a member of both the The Wilson Ornithological Society and American Ornithologists’ Union. She’s all about the birds. This fall, she is beginning a PhD in Biology at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. Her research at ASU will be with Dr. Kevin McGraw studying bird coloration.
Allie France (above, right) is from the Columbus, Ohio area and graduated with majors in Botany and Environmental Studies. Allie became increasingly involved with campus sustainability projects including reusable containers for the dining halls and sustainability efforts and awareness on campus. Allie actually managed to get the reusable food container program launched while off campus, on the other side of the world, in Cape Town, South Africa, during a semester abroad. Indeed, experiences with sustainability efforts in South Africa helped her to see her sustainability work at OWU from a new perspective. During her senior year on campus Allie’s work on a draft campus sustainability plan and other related projects not only made significant contributions to sustainability at OWU, but helped her shape her post-graduation plans. She is currently working, keeping an eye open for sustainability jobs, and planning to start a master’s program in sustainability and conservation.