Saunders receives Udall Scholar award

Published May 2007
Story Source: Christine Tew, SNR NEWS@Missouri.edu

Adam Saunders wants to incorporate problem solving into a career focused on land use and environmental issues. "I love research," he said. "I find it really challenging, and there are a lot of benefits that you get out of it for society."

Saunders assumed a leadership role on campus early in his undergraduate career, promoting sustainability and environmental awareness. He received national recognition with a 2007 Udall Scholar award in April.

Udall Scholars are selected through an application process. Saunders was recognized for his "demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment," according to the Udall Foundation Web site.

Saunders is one of three Missourians to receive this recognition in 2007, and the only recipient from the University of Missouri.

"It is an honor for him and for the University," said Bruce Cutter, associate director of academic programs for the School of Natural Resources. "Adam is an outstanding young man."

The application process for Udall Fellowships includes several essays, letters of recommendation as well as a review of campus and community involvement.

"On the application, there were several essays that I had to write," Saunders said. "It was really a challenge for me to express my goals and opinions clearly and concisely."

He leaned on his friend and mentor, Jared Cole, a two-time winner, for help with the revisions. Saunders also worked with the MU faculty representative for the Udall awards, Jan Weaver, to get his application ready this year.

He credits their help for his success. "I applied last year and didn't get it," he said. "They really helped me out a lot."

His application focused on his work with campus organizations and strong interest in environmental issues.

"I talked about my role in campus sustainability and leadership development," he said. "In Sustain Mizzou, one of our problems is developing and maintaining leadership."

He is a founding member of Sustain Mizzou and has a strong record of involvement and leadership with environmental issues, said Bruce Cutter.

Saunders is a senior studying forestry and statistics at MU, and plans to continue his education in graduate school.

"I'd like to get a Ph.D. and teach forestry," he said. He is currently working on research on bottomland hardwoods with David Larsen in the forestry department at MU.

In addition to a monetary award, the Udall Fellowship also includes a trip to Tucson, Ariz., in August.