Tuesday, April 10, 2018

While they have a few more years until they officially graduate, UNCW sophomores and Honors students Emily Clancey ’20; Kayleigh Herrmann ’20; Rebekah James ’20 and Savannah Miller ’20 are official members of the 2018 class of UNCW Hollings Scholars.  

The prestigious Hollings Scholarships are awarded annually to students planning careers in oceanic or atmospheric science, research, technology or education. In 2016, UNCW had nine recipients, more than any other university in the country. Awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, they are named in honor of U.S. Senator Ernest F. Hollings, who was instrumental in the creation of NOAA.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for these young scholars to continue their honors-level academics outside the classroom,” said Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli. “Our students are consistently awarded national honors, which reflects the university’s steadfast commitment to undergraduate research and applied learning.”

Hollings Scholars receive $9,500 per year for the last two years of their undergraduate career and participate in a paid internship at a NOAA facility during the summer between their junior and senior years. Recipients are also granted research and publication opportunities.

“The Hollings program is truly transformative,” said Nathaniel Grove, assistant director of the Center for Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships and associate professor of chemistry. “These experiences have been invaluable to our students as they develop the skills necessary for their future careers and make meaningful connections with other researchers in the field.” 

Former Hollings Scholar (2015) and 2016 Portz Scholar Audrey Taylor ’17 was just announced as receiving a 2018 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in earth sciences at the University of Notre Dame. 

Preparing students for post-graduation success and increasing post-graduation career placement is a major initiative of UNCW’s Strategic Plan.

-- Caroline Cropp

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