EKU junior receives one of only 20 EPA national fellowships

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Jessica Pulliam, a junior at Eastern Kentucky University, is shown at Silver Creek Falls in Madison County.

September 16, 2009

Anonymous The Richmond Register Wed Sep 16, 2009, 08:40 AM EDT

As a young child, she spent countless hours searching for crawdads under rocks in nearby streams.

As a teenager, she discovered the thrill of kayaking in wild rivers.

From those formative experiences, Jessica Pulliam developed a deep awareness of the need to protect nature, an interest she has further explored as a student at Eastern Kentucky University. Now, the junior sociology major and Honors Program participant from Crestwood has parlayed her academic prowess and undergraduate research experiences into a prestigious Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Fellowship Award, one of only 20 given nationally and the only one in Kentucky.

The two-year fellowship, valued at $39,124, covers Pulliam’s tuition and fees for her final two years at Eastern, provides a living stipend and includes funds for conferences and equipment related to her research. It also provides an internship in Washington, D.C., next summer, when she will work with EPA mentors to develop a research project.

“Receiving this fellowship is incredibly prestigious for an EKU student,” said Dr. Stephanie McSpirit, Pulliam’s academic adviser and professor in the Department of Anthropology, Sociology and Social Work. “Jessica joins the ranks of students from Brandeis, Oberlin College and the University of Wisconsin.”

During her first two years at EKU, the South Oldham High School graduate participated in undergraduate research projects, “one important factor that has allowed me to receive this fellowship. In addition, the Honors Program at Eastern has really challenged me as a student and has encouraged me to apply for grants and fellowships.”

Pulliam, who minors in biology, selected sociology as a major after taking Sharon Hardesty’s Introduction to Sociology course.

“Her encouragement has given me the confidence I need to accomplish the goals I have set for myself,” she said.

It was Hardesty who introduced Pulliam to McSpirit, who gave the eager student an opportunity to participate in research for the Kentucky Stream and Wetlands Protection Plan as well as for the Kentucky Riverkeeper.

“Her passion for the environment is contagious (and) she is the person who suggested I apply for the EPA Fellowship and has offered me guidance along the way,” Pulliam said.

McSpirit said Pulliam was “one of my right hands” on the stream and wetlands project, playing a “crucial role” in compiling electronic databases and transcribing interviews.

“I think Jessica’s research experience on these last two grants and subcontracts helped her application rise above hundreds of others for this prestigious award,” McSpirit said.

After graduation, Pulliam hopes to volunteer for an organization such as Green Corps or Peace Corps and then work toward her doctoral degree in order to teach environmental sociology someday at the university level.

“Because of this fellowship, Jessica’s future is paved with gold,” McSpirit said. “She will easily be able to apply, and receive a research position, at any top-ranking Ph.D. program in environmental sociology in the near future. Her education at EKU has prepared her well for the opportunities that lie ahead for her.”

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EKU News

EKU professor authors ‘Great Civil War Stories of Kentucky’
A century and a half after the first shots of the Civil War were fired, Dr. Marshall Myers, professor of English at Eastern Kentucky University, reminds readers of the harsh realities of war, and how it affected soldiers and civilians alike in his new book, “Great Civil War Stories of Kentucky.”

June 24, 2011
Presidential debate delegation visits EKU
A three-member delegation of the Commission on Presidential Debates visited Eastern Kentucky University on Thursday.
EKU, which submitted a bid earlier this year to host a debate, is one of 12 colleges and universities nationwide competing to host four debates in 2012 — three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate. It is expected that the site selections will be announced this fall.

May 27, 2011
EKU co-op program first in state to earn accreditation
Eastern Kentucky University’s Cooperative Education Program has become the first co-op program in the Commonwealth and only the 12th nationally to receive accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Cooperative Education.

April 22, 2011
A chance for grads and bands to reunite
Eastern Kentucky University alumni and friends are invited to visit the campus April 29 through May 1 when EKU hosts its annual Alumni Weekend, highlighted this year by performances from former members of bands that played at Speck’s, the legendary nightspot previously in downtown Richmond.
Friday, April 29 will offer an evening of live music from the Speck’s bands, including former members of “The Maroons” and “The Exiles,” from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Perkins Building.The cost of $22 includes beverages, appetizers, the live music and dancing.

April 22, 2011
EKU tuition, meals on the rise, again
Eastern Kentucky Univer-sity expects the state’s Council on Post-secondary Education to allow regional universities to raise in-state tuition by 5 percent for the coming academic year, according to EKU President Doug Whitlock.
On Monday, the EKU regents voted to take the maximum the council will allow and delegated its academic affairs committee to impose the increase after the council’s Thursday meeting.

April 19, 2011 1 Photo
Spring fling
Morgan Jolly, Miss Kentucky Teen 2011, and an Eastern Kentucky University freshman education major from Versailles, prepares to pop bubbles Monday with Sanjay Blevins, a special education student at Model Laboratory School. Jolly and about 19 others who reside in EKU’s education majors’ Living and Learning Community and 14 Model special-ed students enjoyed an hour of fun at the college students’ invitation. Such events outside of their school setting helps special-needs children developmentally, said Jolly, who planned the event with roommate Amanda Hubler.

April 19, 2011 1 Photo
California Schemin’
Amanda West, from left, Micah Daniel Bennett, Alyssa Will, Marshall Manley and Whitlie Rose rehearse a scene from Eastern Kentucky University Theatre’s production of “California Schemin’” Performances continue tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Gifford Theatre of the Jane F. Campbell Building. To reserve or purchase tickets, students and senior citizens are $5 and adults are $6, call the box office at 622-1323.

April 15, 2011 1 Photo
EKU to host Science, engineering fair
Eastern Kentucky University will host the 9th annual Kentucky Science and Engineering Fair on Saturday at Alumni Coliseum. This is the state fair in which middle school and high school students from throughout the Commonwealth will be participating.
The event will feature the research of more than 215 students who have advanced through local and regional competitions across the state. They will be competing for ribbons, trophies, scholarships and special awards from corporations and various organizations.
The high school students who are selected as the Best of Fair will be a member of Team Kentucky that will represent the state at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles in May.
The public can view the student’s work from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday inside Alumni Coliseum on EKU’s campus. The awards ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. in Brock Auditorium in the Coates Building.

April 1, 2011
‘Brain Rules’ author to speak at EKU
John Medina, author of the New York Times bestseller “Brain Rules,” will present a public lecture Tuesday, March 29 at Eastern Kentucky University.
His talk, “Brain Rules for Teaching,” will begin at 6 p.m. in Walnut Hall of the Keen Johnson Building. There will be a question-and-answer period following the session.

March 28, 2011
Environmental ‘Hero’ to speak at EKU
Graciela Chichilnisky, recognized by Time Magazine in 2009 as one of the “Heroes of the Environment,” will speak at Eastern Kentucky University Thursday, March 31.
Her presentation titled “Avoiding Extinction” will begin at 7:30 p.m. in O’Donnell Hall of the Student Success Building. It is part of the University’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series and serves as the sixth-annual Distinguished Lecture in International Studies and keynote address for Women’s History Month. The event is free and open to the public.

March 25, 2011
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EKU junior receives one of only 20 EPA national fellowships

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