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 an LEP in the State of Connecticut. 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.

Justin Skelly

Justin is a resident of Derby and a senior at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA.  Justin is majoring in Environmental Engineering and currently interns at a consulting engineering firm. Justin’s advisor at WPI states, “Justin is a motivated young man who is undertaking a well-thought out program of study in environmental engineering at WPI. Next year, he will complete his environmental engineering project by participating in a design competition at New Mexico State University, under my advisement. I hand selected Justin to be one of the team members on this project due to my experiences with him in the classroom this year”.

Brian Colonnese

Brian is a resident of Easton and is entering his final year at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. Brian is majoring in Environmental Engineering. Brian is interested in pursuing work in the site characterization and remediation areas, and is currently working as a field technician at an environmental consulting firm while maintaining excellent grades. One of Brian’s professors at UCONN states, “He is a very serious, skilled and highly motivated student. I fully endorse Brian in his future endeavors and feel that he is an excellent candidate for an EPOC scholarship”.

James Cassanelli

James is a resident of Oxford and is entering a graduate program at the University of Connecticut. He has achieved undergraduate degrees in Geology and Geophysics and considers himself to be an aspiring hydrogeology student who is aiming to become part of the remediation field after college. One of James’s professors at UCONN states, “James is one of the brightest Geology majors I have had an opportunity to work with at the University... He conducted research on the impact of salting on surface and groundwater in Connecticut”. James was recommended to be a teaching assistant while entering his graduate program at UCONN.

Gregory Hencir

Gregory is a resident of Madison and is a part-time graduate student at the University of New Haven. Gregory is pursuing a master’s degree in environmental science after completing undergraduate studies at the University of Vermont. Gregory is also currently employed as an Environmental Scientist/Project Engineer at a Connecticut consulting firm. His interests include rejuvenating former brownfield sites and he enjoys both the engineering challenges and social and economic factors affecting the decision process. Gregory’s Subsurface Assessment course professor at UNH states, “I am very familiar with Greg’s knowledge and experience in the environmental profession and enjoy mentoring him in his pursuit of the Connecticut LEP. As such. I highly recommend Greg as an excellent candidate for the EPOC scholarship”.