KU nominates 4 students for national Udall scholarship competition

LAWRENCE -- Four University of Kansas students each are competing for one of 80 national $5,000 Morris K. Udall scholarships, established for 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.

The scholarship program was established by Congress 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.

Eight KU students have won Udall scholarships since 1998.

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.

KU's nominees include one Udall scholar, Nicole Hipp of St. Louis, who won in 2002. She is eligible to apply for a second scholarship.

The nominees are:

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park
Amy L. Hammontree is a sophomore majoring in environmental studies and biology with a career goal of working as a researcher in restoration ecology.

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. She is the daughter of Doug and Linda Hammontree of Overland Park.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka
Laura Adams is a sophomore majoring in chemical engineering with an environmental option. Adams plans a career as a lawyer or community activist specializing in developing policy and programs for sustainable agriculture. She plans to seek a law degree and a master's degree in public policy or in environmental law. She plans to graduate in May 2005. At KU, she co-founded the Fair Trade Coffee Commission, which worked to develop campus and community awareness of fair trade issues. This semester Adams is working with the commission to organize a week's activities to demonstrate the interconnectedness between trade, economics, the environment, human rights, conflict and resolution. She is the Kansas winner of a 2001-02 U.S. Institute of Peace Scholarship. Adams is a Topeka High School graduate. She is the daughter of W. Clay and Patricia Adams of Topeka.

MISSOURI
From St. Louis
Nicole M. Hipp is a junior majoring in architecture. Her 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. 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. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Hipp, St. Louis, Mo.

OREGON
From Portland
Courtney J. Miller is a junior majoring in architecture. He 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. 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 school's 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. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Miller.