KU junior wins national Udall scholarship, 2 receive honorable mention

LAWRENCE -- Courtney J. Miller, University of Kansas junior from Portland, Ore., whose career goals include working with developing Native American communities, has won one of 80 national $5,000 Morris K. Udall scholarships. The scholarships are offered to students planning careers in fields related to the environment and for Native American and Alaska Natives seeking careers in fields related to health care or tribal policy.

Miller is majoring in architecture at KU and plans to pursue graduate degrees in programs that combine environmental policy and urban planning. His career plans include establishing a multidisciplinary consortium to provide planning guidance for developing communities.

In addition two KU students received honorable mention in the national competition for Udall scholarships:

 • Amy L. Hammontree, Overland Park sophomore in environmental studies and biology with a career goal of working as a researcher in restoration ecology; and

 • Nicole M. Hipp, St. Louis junior in architecture whose long-range career plans include establishing an architectural firm that focuses on designs that will have less adverse impact on the land and natural resources. Hipp won an Udall scholarship in 2002 and was eligible to apply for a second this year.

Nine KU students have won Udall scholarships since 1998.

Congress established the scholarship program in 1992 to honor Congressman Udall and his legacy of public service. The Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation in Tucson, Ariz., administers the program.

Nominees must be college sophomores or juniors, demonstrate outstanding potential and be studying the environment and related fields, or nominees must be Native American or Alaska Native college sophomores or juniors, demonstrate outstanding potential and be studying in fields related to health care or tribal public policy. Two-year and four-year institutions may nominate a total of six students from either or both categories. Scholars selected during their sophomore year may be renominated during the next year's competition.

Brief descriptions of KUÿs newest Udall scholar and honorable mention winners follow here:

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park
Amy L. Hammontree is the daughter of Doug and Linda Hammontree of Overland Park. She is particularly interested in restoration and sustainability of ecosystems in wetlands, coral reefs and freshwater habitats. This summer she plans to study in a tropical marine ecology program off the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. She is a National Merit scholar. Hammontree attended Blue Valley North High School and Johnson County Community College.

MISSOURI
From St. Louis
Nicole M. Hipp is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Hipp. Last fall, she was one of six students selected to attend an international architectural design symposium in Neukloster, Germany. This summer, as one of nine Kansas/Asia scholars, she will spend three weeks in Japan studying culture and lifestyles. With her Kansas/Asia scholarship, Hipp plans to present a photographic essay and lecture series for the KU School of Architecture and Urban Design and area public schools. Hipp attended Oakville Senior High School and Meramac Community College, both in St. Louis.

OREGON
From Portland
Courtney J. Miller is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Miller. In his scholarship application, Miller noted that he would like to work with indigenous populations to address the relationship of build and natural forms. "I hope to be part of a design team that works with communities in recently reinstated Native American groups facing the need to increase housing and employment opportunities for returning members on limited trust acreage." At KU, Miller is a National Merit scholar and is working with the campus chapter of the American Institute of Architectural Students to create a collection system for recyclable materials in the schoolÿs studios. Last fall, he was one of six students receiving an Ewart Memorial Traveling Fellowship to attend an urban revitalization conference in Germany. In June, Miller plans to volunteer in Chiapas, Mexico, on a sustainable farm that serves to develop innovative farming techniques for local indigenous populations. A National Merit scholar, Miller attended Jesuit High School in Portland.