The University of South Carolina is thrilled to announce that junior Chandler Green has been named a 2015 Udall Scholar. Established by Congress in 1992, the Udall Foundation awards scholarships, fellowships and internships for study in fields related to the environment and to American Indians and Alaska Natives in fields related to health care and tribal public policy. The Udall scholarship honors the legacies of Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall, whose careers had a significant impact on American Indian self-governance, health care and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources.

Udall Scholars are current sophomores and juniors, who are selected on the basis of commitment to careers in the environment, American Indian health care or tribal public policy. Their leadership potential, academic achievement and record of public service are also important considerations. Green is one of 50 students selected nation-wide from a pool of 464 applicants nominated by 222 colleges and universities. The Foundation also awarded 50 Honorable Mentions. Each college or university may only nominate up to six students for this award. The scholarship provides up to $5,000 for the Scholar's junior or senior year. Green is the 14th Udall Scholar from the University of South Carolina since the creation of the scholarship.

Green is a Capstone Scholar and the recipient of the Palmetto Fellows and Dean's Scholarships. She has been honored with the Environmental Science Scholarship and the Earth and Ocean Sciences Rising Star Award, and has received the Magellan Apprentice and Voyager Awards and the Passport Travel Grant to support her research. During the summer of 2013 she researched and filmed a documentary in Iceland, which she presented at the 2014 National Conference for Undergraduate Research. A 2014 NOAA Hollings Scholar, Green is an environmental science major and media arts minor and has pursued several projects combining her passions for science and art. These include working as a media specialist for Carolinas Integrated Sciences and Assessments, creating educational videos for Pearson Higher Education, and presenting at the 2014 Water Education Summit. She has also served as a Capstone Ambassador, as well as a volunteer for the Conservation Voters of SC. In addition, Green is currently participating in the national student exchange at the University of New Mexico, where she is volunteering for UNM's Sustainability Office. She plans to pursue a career in science communication to increase awareness and understanding of global climate change.

The University's Udall Committee, chaired by Dr. James Morris (Biology) and including faculty members Dr. Nicole Berge (Civil Engineering), Dr. Camelia Knapp (Earth and Ocean Sciences), Dr. Ryan Rykaczewski (Marine Science) and Dr. Ed Munn Sanchez (Honors College), worked with all the University nominees in preparing their applications. The Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs further assisted the Udall applicants.
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