A new scholarship for those interested in the preservation of our environment – the Lorain County Be Green Scholarship – is now available for Lorain County Community College students, LCCC University Partnership students and high school students who are currently enrolled in either LCCC or the University Partnership
One Lorain County Be Green scholarship a year of at least $500 will be awarded.
The Lorain County Be Green Scholarship was established in conjunction with the Lorain County Solid Waste Management District, a department of the Lorain County Board of Commissioners; Ecoverse in Avon and the LCCC Foundation.
The Solid Waste Management District is providing an endowment of $25,000 over the next four years and Ecoverse is providing $3,500 for immediate scholarship use while the endowment is being invested.
“Lorain County Commissioner Ted Kalo stated that “This scholarship provides an opportunity to keep environmental issues on the minds of our young adults as they are deciding on career paths. Hopefully, this will be a stepping stone for them to make a difference in the future as environmental problems continue to change.”
Ecoverse is a supplier of machinery and services to the recycling, remediation and environmental industries.
“Ecoverse has a deep interest in all that goes into making these markets function,” said Shane Donnelly, general manager of Ecoverse. “We also believe that there is a need to raise the awareness about the environment at all levels of education. This will not only translate into more environmentally conscious behavior but will also hopefully open the eyes of the students in our county to the business opportunities that will arise as a result of changes in behavior and regulation.”
“The College,” said LCCC President Roy Church, “is grateful for the support from both the public and private sectors for students.”
“It is extremely important that we have scholarships available for our students – many of whom need some assistance to complete their academic goals,” Church said. “It is gratifying to see new scholarship opportunities develop in emerging areas and I thank both the Solid Waste District and Ecoverse for providing this opportunity.”
Applicants do not have to be enrolled in an environmental degree, but must be interested in preserving the environment and be currently involved in some environmental activity. They will answer questions that include, “What do you see as the greatest threat to the environment today and how would you rectify the issue?” And, “What are you currently doing that has a positive impact on the environment?”
The first Lorain County Be Green scholarship was awarded to Ashley Schaefer of Grafton. She is currently attending summer classes at LCCC and will attend The University of Akron through LCCC’s University Partnership in fall. Her major is exercise science.
“The greatest environmental threat is littering – especially of the oceans,” Schaefer said. “Animals are hurt by it, many of which get tangled in floating debris.”
To help rectify the problem she would encourage recycling by having more recycling locations as well as develop laws requiring more recycling. She recycles and composts at home.
For more information on applying for the Lorain County Be Green scholarship, visit www.lorainccc.edu/financialaid or call LCCC’s financial aid office at (440) 366-4034.
