OSU's Jessica Lay named Udall Scholar
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
VIDEO - Watch the surprise announcement of Jessica's scholarship
Jessica Lay and President Burns Hargis
Lay, a biosystems and agricultural engineering major, is the seventh OSU student to receive the scholarship. OSU students have received an unprecedented four Udall Scholarships in the last three years.
“Everyone at OSU is extremely proud of Jessica,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “This award demonstrates our university’s mission to produce quality students who make a real commitment to changing our world.”
The Udall scholarship provides $5,000 for educational expenses to outstanding sophomores and juniors who are studying the environment and related fields, or are Native Americans or Alaska Natives in fields related to health care or tribal public policy.
The scholarship was created in 1992 to honor Congressman Morris K. Udall of Arizona. For three decades, the congressman fought to preserve and to protect the nation’s environment, public lands, and natural resources. He also was a champion of tribal self-governing rights for Native American and Alaska Natives.
As part of the application process, Lay had to complete an 800-word essay discussing a significant public speech, legislative act, or public policy statement by Congressman Udall, and its relationship to her interests or coursework. She will attend the Udall Scholar Orientation Weekend in Tucson, Ariz., in August.
“I’m so excited to go and meet the other Udall scholars and learn from their experiences and share my experiences with them,” Lay said.
According to Dr. Robert Graalman, director of the OSU Office of Scholar Development and Recognition, Lay wants to do research on water quality issues and has already taken several mission trips to bring fresh water to areas of Mexico. Her plans include serving in the Peace Corps and joining Engineers Without Borders.
“Jesi has emerged virtually overnight as a young scholar and public servant of the highest order, as this award shows,” said Graalman. “In addition to the obvious, what I’ve also learned about Jesi is that she is determined and courageous, which makes her other qualities even more impressive.”
Her mentors for the competition were Dr. Ron Elliott, professor and head of the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering; Dr. Carol Jones, assistant professor, biosystems and agricultural engineering; and Dr. Tom Kuzmic, professor, forest management, and Lay’s lacrosse coach.
“Jesi’s very bright, articulate and she makes friends so easily,” said Elliott. “She’s part of the glue in the fabric of our department in the way she interacts with students and faculty. We’re so proud of her.”
Lay has been recognized for helping organize the successful “Real Cowboys Recyle” program. She started the program with other students, including previous Udall Scholars, Cortney Timmons and Savannah Smith, and the program has won state awards for its impact. Lay, Timmons and Smith also were named a winner of this year’s OSU Creativity Challenge. Lay also has served as captain of the OSU women’s lacrosse team.
She is the daughter of Yong Lay and Lowell Lay of Broken Arrow, and is a 2006 graduate of Broken Arrow High School. Following her graduation from OSU, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in biosystems and agricultural engineering.