NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Jan Fiderio at 603.283.2107

Dec 22, 2009 for Immediate Release

Michael Goudzwaard, Antioch University New England Environmental Studies Student, Honored

Master's degree student awarded the William R. Ginsberg, Thomas K. Wessels Scholarship

Antioch University New England master's degree student Michael Goudzwaard has been awarded the William R. Ginsberg, Thomas K. Wessels Endowed Scholarship. Tom Wessels, core faculty and associate chair for external relations in Antioch University New England's Department of Environmental Studies, presented Michael with the scholarship at a department celebration on Thursday, December 11.

merit-based scholarship of $2500 honors a second-year, environmental studies master's degree student who has displayed excellence in academic achievement and who has demonstrated leadership.

Steve Chase, director of Antioch University New England's Department of Environmental Studies Environmental Advocacy and Organizing Program, nominated Michael for the award. "Mike has demonstrated enormous initiative and capacity as a leader both in class and in his significant extra-curricular work," noted Chase.

Upon accepting the award, Michael thanked the environmental studies faculty for modeling service and leadership every day in both the classroom and in the community. Michael currently serves as Antioch University New England's Student Alliance co-chairperson, as the Carbon Neutrality Task Force AUNE transportation coordinator, and as the Whole Terrain online content editor. Last year, Michael played an instrumental role in the success of AUNE's Power Vote pledge campaign, a nonpartisan voter education campaign sponsored by the Energy Action Coalition.

About the Grant
The William R. Ginsberg, Thomas K. Wessels Endowed Scholarship was created in 2008 by a gift from the estate of William R. Ginsberg and AUNE core faculty and associate chair for external relations, Tom Wessels. William R. Ginsberg was a friend of AUNE, a noted environmentalist, a graduate of Antioch, and former Antioch Board member. It is a merit-based scholarship that rewards high academic achievement and leadership. Michael is the second student to receive this new scholarship.

About Antioch University New England's Department of Environmental Studies
In 1971, AUNE offered the first environmental studies program in the country. AUNE's Department of Environmental Studies has a history of delivering visionary, progressive, and interdisciplinary programs aimed at helping students solve some of today's complex environmental challenges. The department offers multiple master's degrees and a doctoral program.

About Antioch University
Antioch University is a five-campus university located in four states. Each campus has its own distinct academic programs, community life, and regional or national identity. Antioch University is founded on principles of rigorous liberal arts education, innovative experiential learning and socially engaged citizenship. The multiple campuses of the University nurture in their students the knowledge, skills and habits of reflection to excel as lifelong learners, democratic leaders and global citizens who live lives of meaning and purpose. For more information visit: www.antioch.edu.

Last Updated: 3/4/10