The third annual Petra M. Udelhofen Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship was recently awarded to Doug Barnum, a third-year environmental studies major in the Stony Brook University (SBU) Honors College. The scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Petra Udelhofen, an assistant research professor in the Institute for Terrestrial and Planetary Atmospheres (ITPA) and an adjunct assistant professor in MSRC. Dr. Udelhofen was an active member of the ITPA/MSRC faculty and taught atmospheric science to undergraduates. Her focus on the importance of undergraduate education led to the establishment of this fund to honor her memory.
The $500 scholarship is awarded each spring to an SBU undergraduate who will be entering their senior year in either the Environmental Studies and/or Atmospheric Sciences/Meteorology programs. The applicants are evaluated on their research accomplishments, academic performance, participation in student activities, and service to the university and/ or community at large. The award may be applied to tuition, books, fees, or other educationally related expenses.
This year’s scholarship committee included professors Kamazima Lwiza, Bob DeZafra, and Mary Scranton – who is also the undergraduate program director, and Ph.D. students Joe Olson, and Ann Zulkosky – who served as this year’s chair. The committee selected Barnum for his academic record, work experience, and volunteer and research efforts. Barnum is currently interning in the University’s Recycling and Resource Management department; he volunteered for SBU’ s annual Earthstock festival; and he’s planning a summer research project with the Pine Barrens Society to look at the impacts of new trails in various forest habitats. MSRC Professor Bruce Brownawell served as his faculty reference in applying for the award and Brownawell described him as “bright, motivated, and particularly passionate about environmental causes.”
