Brown & Caldwell Awards Scholarships to Environmental Science, Engineering Students

Brown and Caldwell announced the recipients of its 2013 scholarship awards. Each year, Brown and Caldwell provides college scholarships to promising full-time students pursuing careers in the environmental engineering industry under three award programs: the Garr M. Jones Scholarship in Hydraulics; the Dr. W. Wesley Eckenfelder, Jr. Scholarship and the Minority Scholarship Program.

The Garr M. Jones Scholarship in Hydraulics was established to honor Jones’ more than 50 years of impact on the engineering industry by promoting excellence in hydraulic analysis and design. Garr is co-editor of three editions of Pumping Station Design—required reading in the field—and he has been involved with hundreds of projects during the course of his career. The $5,000 scholarship is open to full-time University of Washington students pursuing education and careers within the environmental industry, specializing in hydraulics.

Sierra Gernhart, a graduate of the University of Washington, is the recipient of the 2013 Garr M. Jones Scholarship. Gernhart earned a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering, was the vice president of the Civil Engineering Honor Society and a member of Engineers Without Borders. She plans to continue her education in a master’s degree program.

The Dr. W. Wesley Eckenfelder, Jr. Scholarship was established to honor Dr. Eckenfelder and his more than 50 years of pioneering work in the environmental profession. Brown and Caldwell annually awards this $5,000 scholarship to students pursuing education and a career within the environmental industry. This year’s recipients are:

• • Cheryl Dilks, an undergraduate student at Northern Arizona University, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering. Dilks is active in a number of activities, including the Society of Women Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers, American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Engineers Without Borders. Cheryl has a bachelor’s degree in sociology, having graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2007.
• • Christopher Riley, will graduate in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and policy at the University of Maryland. Riley is minoring in geographic information systems and sustainability studies, and is in both the University Honors Program and Entomology Honors Program.

Through its Minority Scholarship Program, Brown and Caldwell provides time and monetary commitment to invest in scholarships, internships and mentoring for full-time minority college students at the junior, senior or graduate level majoring in environmental engineering. This year’s recipients are:

• • Alejandra Tarrell is obtaining her Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering from Colorado School of Mines. She is a member of American Geophysical Union, Geological Society of America and American Water Works Assn.
• • Joyce Cheung, a graduate student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is an active member of the Society of Women Engineers, Water Environment Federation and New England Water Works Assn.
• • Arlette De Santiago, a graduate student at Georgia Institute of Technology, is a member of the Society of Women Engineers, Assn. of Environmental Engineers and Scientists and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. She is focused on mentoring high school students to improve academic performance and also helps to promote students to consider the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education program.
• • Elizabeth Velazquez holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering from Northwestern University. She is member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers, and Engineers for a Sustainable World.

Scholarship recipients are selected by a committee of Brown and Caldwell professionals on the basis of their academic accomplishments.

Each year, scholarships are open to full-time college students enrolled in their junior or senior years or graduate programs.

Source: Brown and Caldwell