Over 6,000 Nelson Institute alumni work in government, business, and nonprofit organizations, applying their knowledge and skills to make the world a better and more sustainable place. Many also volunteer with environmental or humanitarian causes, extending the community-based philosophy that is cultivated within the institute. Each year, the Nelson Institute shines a spotlight on alumni who are making a difference in the world.
2024 Recipients
Gloria Castillo Posada
(MS Environment and Resources ’15)
Arlyne Johnson
(MS Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development MS 1993, PhD Land Resources ’00)
Naomi Louchouarn
(PhD Environment and Resources ’23)
Curt Meine
(MS Land Resources 1988, PhD Land Resources 1988)
Laura Miller
(Environmental Studies ’19)
Jeff Rudd
(PhD Environment and Resources ’09)
Anna Weinberg
(Environmental Studies Certificate ’18)
Award Process
Awards are presented at the Nelson Institute’s annual Rendezvous on the Terrace gathering for alumni and friends. The 2024 Rendezvous on the Terrace will be held Friday, September 27, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin.
Rising Star Alumni Award
The Nelson Institute Rising Star Alumni Award recognizes initiative as well as accomplishments of alumni who are making a significant difference in the world soon after graduation and who have attained a notable degree of success or impact through their professional accomplishments and/or community service.
- Nominees must have earned an undergraduate major or certificate or a graduate degree or certificate from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.
- Nominees must be under 35 years of age OR have received their degree/certificate less than 10 years ago.
- Special consideration will be given to those who have demonstrated significant initiative by implementing/building/starting innovative service or research projects, businesses, or other original enterprises.
- All candidates will be considered regardless of race, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or religion.
- Nominations may be made by any students, alumni, friends, and current or emeritus faculty or staff of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. Self-nominations are accepted but require a letter of recommendation in addition to the nomination form.
- Multiple nominations for the same person are highly encouraged.
- The selection committee will select at least one undergraduate alum and one graduate alum to recognize.
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Nelson Institute Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have attained a notable degree of long-term success or impact through their professional accomplishments and/or community service.
- Nominees must have earned an undergraduate major or certificate or graduate degree or certificate from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
- Nominees must be over the age of 35 OR have received their degree/certificate more than 10 years ago.
- All candidates will be considered regardless of race, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or religion.
- Nominations may be made by any students, alumni, friends, and current or emeritus faculty or staff of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. Self-nominations are accepted but require a letter of recommendation in addition to the nomination form.
- Multiple nominations for the same person are highly encouraged.
- Once a person is nominated for the Distinguished Award category their nomination will continue to be considered in future years if they were not selected during the specific year they were nominated.
Please email Emily Reynolds, director for community engagement and alumni relations, with questions at ereynolds2@wisc.edu.
Previous Award Recipients
2023
- Travis Blomberg (Environmental Studies ’12, MS Environment and Resources ’15)
- Martha Goodell (MS Environment and Resources and Energy Analysis and Policy certificate ’14)
- Nicole Leotaud (Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development ’97)
- Francisco Santíago-Avila (PhD Environment and Resources ’19)
- Kyle Tanger (Environmental Studies certificate, ’96)
- Cait Williamson (MS Environmental Conservation ’15)
2022
- Keefe Keeley (MS and PhD Agroecology ’14 and ’21)
- Margaret Krome (MS Land Resources ’89)
- Breana Nehls (Environmental Studies and Geography ’16)
- Patricia O’Kane (PhD Environment and Resources ’15)
- Robert Ribe (MS Landscape Architecture ’81, MA Agricultural and Applied Economics ’87, PhD Land Resources ’90)
- Ashok Sarkar (PhD Environment and Resources ’97)
2021
- Vijay Limaye (PhD ER and Epidemiology ’15)
- Jessica Price (PhD ER ’16, MS Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development ’10)
- Linda Vakunta (PhD ER ’15)
- Dan York (PhD LR ’91, MS R and EAP Certificate ’87)
2020
- Rich Beilfuss (PhD LR ’02, MS CEE ’91, MS WRM ’90)
- John H. Francis III (PhD LR ’91)
- Stephen J. Ventura (PhD LR ’89, MS EM ’83)
- Leela Hazzah (PhD ER ’10, MS CBSD ’06)
- Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings (Anthropology and Archaeology, AIS and ES Certificates ’13)
- Emmaneul Urey (PhD ER ’18, MS ER ’13, BS and MPH, Cuttington University, Liberia)
2019
- Jane Elder (MS LR ’91)
- Paul Denholm (PhD LR and EAP Certificate ’04)
- Erik Olson (PhD ER ’13, MS ER ’10)
- Ashley Lee (ES Certificate ’11)
2018
- Aaron Wolf (WRM ’90 and PhD LR ’92)
- Rebecca Wodder (WRM ’78)
- Kevin Gibbons (CBSD ’12)
- Aszya Summers (ES ’14)
2016
- Amy Kesling (ES Certificate ’09)
- Ron Meissen (PhD LR and EAP Certificate ’06)
- Roberto Lindig-Cisneros (PhD LR ’00)
2015
- Jami Morton (MS ER ’11)
- Neva Hassanein (PhD LR ’97)
- Honorary award winners Claus Moberg and Matt Luedke
2014
- Matt Dannenberg (ES Certificate ’10)
- Lynn Hobbie (MS LR ’84)