Michael Goudzwaard Awarded William R. Ginsberg, Thomas K. Wessels Scholarship

Antioch University New England master’s degree student Michael Goudzwaard has been awarded the William R. Ginsberg, Thomas K. Wessels Endowed Scholarship. Tom Wessels, core faculty and associate chair for external relations in Antioch University New England’s Department of Environmental Studies, presented Michael with the scholarship at a department celebration on Thursday, December 11.

The merit-based scholarship of $2500 honors a second-year, environmental studies master’s degree student who has displayed excellence in academic achievement and who has demonstrated leadership.

Steve Chase, director of Antioch University New England’s Department of Environmental Studies Environmental Advocacy and Organizing Program, nominated Michael for the award. “Mike has demonstrated enormous initiative and capacity as a leader both in class and in his significant extra-curricular work,” noted Chase.

Upon accepting the award, Michael thanked the environmental studies faculty for modeling service and leadership every day in both the classroom and in the community. Michael currently serves as Antioch New England’s Student Alliance co-chairperson, as the Carbon Neutrality Task Force AUNE transportation coordinator, and as the Whole Terrain online content editor. Last year, Michael played an instrumental role in the success of AUNE’s Power Vote pledge campaign, a nonpartisan voter education campaign sponsored by the Energy Action Coalition.

About the Grant
The William R. Ginsberg, Thomas K. Wessels Endowed Scholarship was created in 2008 by a gift from the estate of William R. Ginsberg and AUNE core faculty and associate chair for external relations, Tom Wessels. William R. Ginsberg was a friend of AUNE, a noted environmentalist, a graduate of Antioch, and former Antioch Board member. It is a merit-based scholarship that rewards high academic achievement and leadership. Michael is the second student to receive this new scholarship