Nelson Institute Announces the Winners of the Rising Star and Distinguished Alumni Awards
February 11, 2019
Whether it is providing life-saving care to the residents of Uganda, developing a resolution for transboundary water conflicts, providing conservation education or championing river preservation, Nelson Institute alumni are at the forefront of important efforts around the world. Such impactful work is deserving of recognition, which is why the Nelson Institute is proud to honor outstanding alumni through the annual Rising Star and Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Recognizing alumni whose work truly embodies the community-based philosophy that is cultivated within the Nelson Institute, the 2018 Rising Star Alumni Award will be presented to two individuals who have who are making a significant difference in the world soon after graduation, while the Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented to two individuals who have demonstrated considerable professional achievement and/or community service in the decades following their time as a student at Nelson Institute. Recipients will be honored at the Rendezvous on the Terrace on September 7, 2018. The award ceremony is open to all alumni of the institute’s graduate and undergraduate degree and certificate programs.
Rising Star Alumni Award Recipients:
Kevin Gibbons, M.S. Conservation Biology & Sustainable Development (2010), Nelson Institute for Environment Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
As the founder and Executive Director of Health Access Connect in Kampala, Uganda, Kevin Gibbons works to provide locals with access to health services such as anti-retroviral treatment, malaria treatment, child checkups and more. Launched in 2014, Health Access Connect is the culmination of Gibbons education and determination. A member of the Peace Corps for many years and a dedicated student at the Nelson Institute, Gibbons has spent much of his life seeking out ways to solve challenges through service, innovation and collaboration. In fact, while working on his Master’s degree, Gibbons traveled to a rural fishing village near Lake Victoria in Africa to learn more about food insecurity. While there he noticed the challenges many in the village were facing in terms of health and environment. Determined to create a solution, Gibbons started Health Access Connect, which now serves 1,750 patients per year. Of his work, Gibbons says, “I see my life as one of service to connect people with resources. The world is rich and service helps distribute that wealth.”
Aszya Summers, BS. Zoology, B.S. Environmental Studies (YR), Nelson Institute for Environment Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Working as the Conservation Education Manager at the Racine Zoo in Racine, Wisconsin, Aszya Summers has exemplified the community-based philosophy that is cultivated within the Nelson Institute by bringing conservation-based outreach to her local community. Determined to make conservation education accessible, Summers created multiple education programs for the zoo including, Wildlife Explorers, a free, grant-funded program that provides every third grader in the high-poverty Racine Unified School District with the opportunity to visit the zoo for hands-on conservation education. The success of this program led to the launch of the Li’l Explorers preschool program and an eight-week high school internship program that prepares future generations to take the reins of conservation. Summers also works with a number of outside organizations to expand conservation education. With assistance from the Disney Conservation Fund and six environmental non-profits, Summers launched the Racine Nature Club, which hosts twelve free nature-related events throughout the year for families in the Racine area. Summers also serves as the chapter coordinator for the Environmental Education Network, which works with local teachers to provide low cost professional development in environmental education. Of her efforts Summers says, “I will never stop working to bring environmental education in Racine to the next level.”
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients:
Aaron Wolf, Ph.D. Land Resources, Environmental Policy (1992), Nelson Institute for Environment Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
A trained mediator and facilitator, Aaron Wolf has become a well-recognized leader in addressing transboundary water conflicts. Having worked as a consultant to the U.S. government, World Bank and a number of other organizations, Wolf has been deeply involved in the international effort to safeguard the environment and raise awareness of ecological issues. Currently a Professor of Geography at Oregon State University, Wolf leads the Program in Water Conflict Management and Transformation and has developed a widely used Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database as a part of that work. Wolf has received a number of awards and honors for his work including the 2016 American Association of Geographers Gilbert R. White Distinguished Public Service Honor “in recognition of his work on seeking peaceful approaches to international competition over water resources.” He was also named as one of the Next Generation of Water Leaders by the 3rd World Center for Water Management, the International Water Resources Association and the Stockholm International Water Institute. Nominators
Rebecca Wodder, M.S. Water Resources Management and Landscape Architecture (1978), Nelson Institute for Environment Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
A leader in the national environmental and conservation community, Rebecca Wodder began her career working as a legislative staffer for former Senator and Nelson Institute namesake, Gaylord Nelson. She later joined The Wilderness Society as the Vice President of Membership, Marketing and Development, where she worked to raise awareness and visibility of public land use. From there she worked as the President and CEO of American Rivers before joining the U.S. Department of Interior in Washington D.C. from June to December, 2011 where she developed and led a major river initiative. Of her work, the award nominator said, “Rebecca has blazed a trail of principled, thoughtful leadership… as one of Nelson Institute’s early graduates, it is fitting to recognize her lifetime of achievement and her continued contributions to water resources and conservation goals for the nation.”