The EPOC Environmental Scholarship Fund was established in 1998 to assist Connecticut residents who are attending a college or university (in CT or out of state) and have declared majors pertinent to the environmental field.  The scholarships are awarded annually to junior, senior, and graduate level students (full or part-time) enrolled in accepted programs of study leading the student to become a Technical Environmental Professional in the State of Connecticut as defined by the CT DEEP, or a professional in a related service discipline who may render technical assistance to the Technical Environmental Professional. EPOC would like to express its thanks to all the Connecticut students applying for a scholarship this year. At a recent meeting of the EPOC Scholarship Fund Committee, this year’s scholarship winners were voted on and approved.

Ethan Washburn

Ethan is a resident of Bristol and a junior at SUNY College Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY.  Ethan is majoring in Environmental Resources Engineering and completed an internship at a Connecticut based environmental and civil engineering firm this past summer. Ethan’s engineering professor states, “Ethan succeeded individually in this class and was a solid contributor in the necessary group project work…He is a good citizen in the classroom and seems well respected by his peers. He has my strongest support for this scholarship.”  Ethan stated in his essay application, “I am looking for a career where I can be out in the field taking soil or water samples of potentially contaminated sites for different site investigations as well as developing site plans for various projects.”

Brian Robinson

Brian is a resident of Naugatuck and is a Graduate student at the University of New Haven. Brian is majoring in Environmental Engineering and has been working at a Connecticut based groundwater and engineering firm for the past three years.  One of his professors stated,  “He has a solid science and engineering background, exceptional analytical, problem solving, communication and leadership skills.”  Brian noted in his essay, “I look forward to continued academic success and the eventual time when, as a Professional Engineer with an advanced degree in environmental engineering, I will truly be able to make a difference in our world, perpetuating and improving life as we know it.”

Helen Nelson

Helen is a resident of West Haven and is entering her senior year at Fairfield University, majoring in Environmental Science. Helen states in her application essay,  “at Fairfield University I study the relationship between campus maintenance (such as fertilizers and winter salts) and the health of the main stream that runs through the campus…This is the fourth year I have been working on this project through work study with the biology department…This data will be important for Fairfield University to assess their maintenance practices and possibly make changes where they are necessary.”  One of Helen’s professors at Fairfield University states,  “Helen is achieving great success in her studies. She is smart, outgoing, hard-working and a excellent presence on campus – precisely the type of person that I hope pursues an environmental career.”

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The EPOC Scholarship Fund is financed through the support of EPOC programs, proceeds from golf tournaments, and direct contributions from individuals and companies. EPOC is a non-profit organization, and as such, contributions to the Scholarship Fund are tax deductible for most firms. Unlike many other organizations, 100% of your contributions go in the EPOC Scholarship Fund. A committee of volunteers who support its goals and ideals manages the fund. Anyone needing additional information about the Scholarship Fund or EPOC, please contact Seth Molofsky.