Four Ashland University Students Environmental Scholarship Winners

Four Ashland University science students were part of a group of 21 environmental science and engineering students who have been awarded scholarships to study at Ohio colleges and universities through Ohio EPA’s Environmental Education Fund.

“We are extremely pleased to see that four AU students received scholarships as part of this fund and that is the most from any one college or university in the state,” said Dr. Dawn Weber, dean of AU’s College of Arts and Sciences. “That gives you an indication of the strength of our science program here at Ashland, where students have many opportunities to work with professors on research projects.”

The AU students receiving the $2,500 scholarships for the 2018-2019 academic year are: Emily Nicholls of Mt. Vernon, majoring in biology; Hayley Nininger of Centerburg, majoring in biology and toxicology; Tyler Theaker of Bellville, majoring in biology and environmental science; and Jordin Vidmar of Wadsworth, majoring in toxicology and biology.

A total of $52,500 was awarded this year through Ohio EPA’s Environmental Education Fund. “Together with Ohio colleges and universities, we are investing in today’s environmental scholars to foster stewardship well into the future,” said Ohio EPA Director Craig W. Butler.

This year’s student recipients have completed research or environmental work experience with projects focusing on a number of areas, including: cost-effective techniques to extract hydrophobic insecticides from sediments, wetland biodiversity assessments and analysis of lead contamination in the feathers of wild birds.

Since the scholarship program began in 2000, $869,950 has been awarded statewide to 353 students at 51 Ohio colleges and universities. The funding for the scholarships comes from civil penalties collected by Ohio EPA for violations of air and water pollution control laws. The scholarship program is administered by the Ohio Academy of Science.

The next application deadline for scholarships is April 15, 2019. Additional information about the scholarship is available by calling Ohio EPA’s Office of Environmental Education at (614) 644-2873 or visiting www.epa.ohio.gov/oee. To learn more about the Ohio Academy of Science, call (614) 488-2228 or visit www.OHIOSCI.org.