A College of Architecture and Planning student earned one of the most prestigious awards for students in the environment field.
Senior Abigail Shemoel, landscape architecture major, was recognized this week as one of 80 scholarship recipients in a program that recognizes students' commitment to a career in the environment, who also have potential and leadership skills.
The award came with a $5,000 scholarship from the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation.
Barb Stedman, director of International and National Scholarships at Ball State University, served on the campus selection committee and the national committee. She said Shemoel goes above and beyond what is expected of her.
"She has a powerful passion and she's earning a 4.0 GPA in a very tough program," Stedman said.
Stedman said six students from Ball State were selected to compete at the next level of competition. The national selection committee reviewed 537 applications this year, the most they've ever seen for this competition.
She said competition gets fiercer each year, and students who haven't participated in some international project probably don't make it very far.
Shemoel has participated in projects for a sustainable future at the Monteverde Institute in Costa Rica and other places around Central America and Europe. She's doing an internship at the Foundation for Sustainable Development in La Plata, Argentina, and could not be reached for comment.
Highlighting community service work from Shemoel's application, Stedman said she's been involved in volunteer programs at Minnetrista and other local programs for kids. She's also helped with the Living Lightly Sustainability Fair, and she's served as the secretary and vice president of the Natural Resources Club.
Cindy McHone, instructor of landscape architecture, said Shemoel stands out because of her commitment to environmental and social causes. For example, one summer she worked on a project in Washington, D.C., and made plans for creating an outdoor classroom to teach poor students in the area about maintaining a healthy environment.
"I've been teaching 10 years now, and she's just a gem," McHone said.
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