UGA undergraduates Ashley Dronenburg and Mark Milby are among 80 students nationwide to receive the 2009 Morris K. Udall Scholarship. This is the first time UGA has had two students in one year receive the award that recognizes student leaders pursuing careers related to the environment or Native American policy.
Dronenburg, a junior with a double major in journalism and environmental economics and management, would like to pursue a career in environmental journalism. Milby, a junior ecology major, would like to work with nonprofit organizations that promote community sustainable development programs.
“As the quality of the students at the University of Georgia continues to increase, so do the accolades,” said UGA President Michael F. Adams. “I am pleased that we have produced two Udall Scholars this year in Ashley Dronenburg and Mark Milby. Their success is further evidence that the students who are educated in this state can compete with anyone in the nation.”
Dronenburg and Milby are the fourth and fifth UGA students to receive the scholarship since 2003. The Udall Foundation awards the $5,000 scholarships to honor the work and legacy of Udall’s 30-year public service career.
“Ashley and Mark are exceptional scholars who have used their creative energies to improve the environment,” said Ron Carroll, UGA ecology professor and faculty representative for the scholarship. “After each of my encounters with them, I find myself asking, ‘How can I follow their careers?’ My sense is that it won’t be difficult because we will all be reading about their accomplishments in the future.”
Through reporting and campus activities, Dronenburg has demonstrated her commitment to raise awareness about current environmental issues. She has published service articles on biodiesel use in Athens and ways to “be green” on a student budget in UGAzine, a student magazine published by the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Dronenburg also has been involved with Students for Environmental Awareness since her freshman year and has served as president for the past two years. She has been successful in increasing membership and therefore support and participation in large-scale campus events and community service projects, such as America Recycles Day and the local observance of Earth Day.
Milby has been conducting research since his freshman year in UGA’s Odum School of Ecology. He currently is investigating the effects of climate change on forest ecosystem dynamics, under the guidance of ecology professor Jacqueline Mohan. He also has participated in UGA’s Interdisciplinary Field Program, in which he studied the geology, anthropology and ecology of selected sites the group visited in 22 states and 11 national parks in summer 2007.
Milby has been a campus leader in promoting sustainability as well. He serves as co-president of the Ecology Club and as a council member for the Go Green Alliance. Milby also created and coordinates a campus-wide recycling program that takes place during UGA’s home football games.
