Emily Kinsel, a double major in environmental studies and French, plans to launch a non-profit organization that will provide affordable, nutritious food and good jobs to people in the neediest neighborhoods.

Sierra Gladfelter, a double major in cultural anthropology and geography and urban studies, intends to design a national outdoor education program that instills a sense of investment in local landscapes.

And Alex Epstein, a sociology major, aspires to establish new models for sustainable living that will transform blighted urban landscapes into safe, healthy and economically secure communities.

For their dedication to conservation and sustainability and their strong interest in pursuing careers related to the environment, these highly-accomplished Temple students have been honored with scholarships from the Morris K. and Stuart L. Udall Foundation.

“These students are true Temple treasures,” said Ruth Ost, director of Temple’s Honors Program. “They have matched passion with action in their commitment to the environment on campus, in the community and across the globe. Udall Scholars are problem-solvers in their stewardship.”

The Udall scholarship provides $5,000 for educational expenses to outstanding sophomores and juniors who are studying environment-related fields or who are of Native American descent and pursuing fields related to health care or tribal public policy. Eighty scholars are selected each year.

Since 2003, Temple has had 11 Udall Scholars and four honorable mentions, but 2011 marks the first year that Temple students have captured three of the awards. As one of only four universities in the nation able to claim three winners this year, Temple joins an elite group of institutions that includes Stanford, Columbia and Oberlin.

“To have three Udall winners in one year reflects not only on Temple’s commitment to the environment as an urban university, but also demonstrates how competitive Temple students can be on the national scene,” said Ost. “Students who win these awards are the caliber of those who go on to win other prestigious national and international awards, such as the Truman, Marshall, Rhodes and Fulbright Scholarships.”

Temple students’ success in competing for national awards and gaining admission to top graduate and professional schools is due in part to initiatives that fund student scholarship, such as the Creative Arts, Research and Scholarship (CARAS) Program, Diamond Scholars and Diamond Peer Teachers programs. Gladfelter and Epstein are CARAS recipients; Gladfelter is a 2011 Diamond Scholar and Diamond Peer Teacher; Kinsel is a 2010 Diamond Scholar.

“The announcement of the three new Temple Udall scholars continues the outstanding success Temple has achieved in recent years at the national scholarship and fellowship level,” said Peter Jones, senior vice provost for undergraduate studies. "The recipe for this success is simple enough — create opportunity, and then combine Temple’s bright, creative and motivated students with outstanding, committed faculty who recognize the transformative power of undergraduate mentorship. The mix is intellectually intoxicating."