Environmental Sciences Major, True Furrh, Receives Udall Scholarship
Furrh is the Only Recipient from a Texas Institution
Jacob “True” Furrh, an environmental sciences major in University of Houston’s Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences and an Honors College student, has been awarded a prestigious Udall Scholarship for 2019-2020, making him the second Udall recipient in UH history. The first recipient, Vanessa Alejandro, who majored in geology, was also a College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics student.
Only 55 students from 50 colleges and universities were selected as 2019 Udall Scholars. Furrh is the only recipient in the 2019 class from a Texas institution.
Each scholarship provides up to $7,000 for the scholar’s junior or senior year.
“Being named a Udall Scholar means everything to me,” Furrh wrote. “Growing up in coastal Texas, I’ve seen the impact of environmental problems firsthand, and I feel a responsibility to ensure future generations can enjoy our public lands and treasures.”
About the support he has received, Furrh said “It is an affirmation that I am on the right path, and the result of so many hours my mentors have poured into me during my time at UH. My summer research experience in Dr. Hanadi Rifai’s environmental engineering lab, working with Dr. Amin Kiaghadi, was transformational and opened my eyes to the role scientific research has to play in conservation efforts.”
“The award also comes with a responsibility to commit my career toward environmental stewardship, and I am excited to do so,” he added.
Established by Congress in 1992, the Udall Foundation awards scholarships, fellowships and internships for study in fields related to the environment and to Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
Daniel Wallace, The Honors College