Message from the ES Program Chair

Carla D’Antonio, Ph.D "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

-Nelson Mandela

Welcome graduates, family members and friends. It is a pleasure to celebrate with you the accomplishments of this

amazing group of students and to share in the joy of a job well done. Today’s graduates join a distinguished cadre of UCSB Environmental Studies alumni…now almost 6000 of you…each with your own story and path. As environmental studies majors you are bound together by your shared concern for the health of our planet, by your commitment to bettering the world we live in, to preserving its beauty and resources for future generations, to ensuring equal access by all to a healthy environment, and to finding creative solutions to the many, many challenges that face us. Commencement means beginning. While leaving behind the world you have known for the past 4 or 5 years, each of you are joining a larger family…the UCSB-Gaucho-ES family. This family is here to help support you and guide you as you search for a career path, pursue your dreams, try new things and search for your own way to helping to ensure sustainable living on this fragile planet. While we are proud of you, and proud to have helped you find your own wings, we are also grateful to you for all that you have done for us. So on behalf of the faculty, lecturers and staff of environmental studies, I want to thank you for your fresh energy, your creativity, your perseverance and your optimism. It is these things that help to keep us inspired and keep us in turn optimistic that we as a global society have a bright future. Keep in touch through our newsletter, our friends and alumni list serves and in whatever way you can …share with us the path that you create for yourself. Go forth and seize the day!  

Environmental Studies Program Commencement and Awards Reception

Saturday, June 13, 2015 Music Bowl

University of California Santa Barbara

PROGRAM

Welcome

ES Prof. Carla D’Antonio Chair, Environmental Studies Program

Community Service Award

Presented by ES Prof. Carla D’Antonio

2015 Student Awards Presentation

Outstanding Seniors

Presented by Tim Olson, ES Class of '88

Outstanding Senior Thesis Award Presented by ES Assoc. Prof. Simone Pulver

Outstanding Service

Presented by ES Prof. Josh Schimel

Outstanding Academic Achievement Presented by ES Assoc. Prof. Peter Alagona

and ES Sr. Continuing Lecturer Emeritus Paul Wack

Tom Rogers & Marc McGinnes Scholarships Presented by ES Prof. Carla D'Antonio

ES Class of 2015 Remarks

Eric Zimmerman Academic Coordinator, Environmental Studies

Reception

Jazmine N. Saucedo Rachel D. Scarlett Dominic R. Schlies Leah J. Schulman Katelin D. Seeto Patrick D. Seymour Kuan-Yi C. Shao Zeleka A. Shawel Max, A. Siegel Thomas P. Sims II Marie H. Skari Shelby A. Skougard David, S. Smithers Carmen D. Solis Derek Stanley-Howarth Melissa S. Steritz George K. Stoddard Jiahong Sun Taylor K. Sun Nathan S. Swaigen Melissa M. Taguchi Disnee Tamang Kylie S. Taylor Passion M. Taylor Jean-Luc F. Thibodeau Evan G. Thomas Melissa C. Tinoco Matthew M. Togni Joseph K. Tomoyasu Lynn M. Ton- That Anmol S. Toor Victoria E. Tsolis Morgan R. Tusa Quashaun M. Vallery

 

Andera A. Valletta Kristin D. Van Der Kar Julia A. Varboncoeur Gonzalo Villalobo Anacani Villasenor-Kaimuloa Hieu, V. Vo Linda T. Vo David C. Walker Kelsey J. Walker Amelia R. Walmsley Erin J. Watt Connor E. Way Logan M. Wiebusch Erika L. Wilvang Aaron D. Windmiller Alexander M. Wisneski Perri M. Wolfe Vivian Woo Emilie W. Wood Emerson Wu Ting-Wei Yang

 

2015 Environmental Studies Graduates

   

Karla E. Martinez Kelly S. Mcgrath Garrett L. Mcgurk Kelly E. Mckay John J. Mcmahon III Forest A. Mcmillin Indiana Mead Bret M. Meier Lauren P. Menzer Kurtis B. Merget Elizabeth Milbert Matthew J. Mills Rebecca L. Moss Max G. Muehlhauser Azaan S. Nagra Victoria N. Nakagawa Roman O. Navarro Natalia D. Nelson Joshua M. Nemiroff Nicole W. J. Ng Tiffany H. Ngo Brian L. Nguyen Lanvy Nguyen Monique L. O'Conner Noelle A. Ocen-Odoge Emma M. Olin Claryann K. Olofsson-Loo Asami Osato Erin V. Paddock Meli A. Padilla Kian C. Pakdel Alison B. Palmer Alejandro N. Paramo Daniel M. J. Park Amanda M. Parker Michael B. Pawell

 

Marriela Krisha E. Penollar Evan Perlman Paulina P. Pevzner Michelle L. Phillips Katelyn M. Pilcher Brett F. Ploussard Megan E. Poblete Mladen Popovic Debby V. Portillo Maxwell J. Potter Maria D. Prado Rosales Rafael B. Prata Jonathan D. Prickett Linda T. N. Quang Arriana I. Rabago Halley W. Rainer Luis Ramirez Alexis J. Ramos Anna K. Ramos Bryce A. Rausa Amber K. Reedy Nicholas T. Reese Molly L. Reichman Catherine F. Reilly Tayler A. Reinman Nicole M. Rinaldi El-Abd Marisol Rios Danielle E. Romanowski Elizabeth M. Rosbottom Selena T. F. Ross Daniel D. Rowell Emilia R. Rubin Nathan M. Ruchman Stephanie Ruiz Karim A. Saleh Sr Stephanie Sanchez

2015 Environmental Studies Graduates

Community Service Award

Wilderness Youth Project (WYP)

       Wilderness  Youth  Project  (WYP)  is  a  local  non-­‐profit  with  a  mission  to  foster  confidence,  health,  and  a  life-­‐long  love  of  learning  through  active  outdoor  experiences  and  mentoring.  In  the  last  fifteen  years  they  have  connected  hundreds  of  youth  each  year  with  nature  through  after-­‐school,  summer,  and  expedition  programs.  WYP  values  equity,  working  to  include  students  from  diverse  backgrounds  in  terms  of  ethnicity,  ability  and  socioeconomic  status.    Studies  show  outdoor  time  helps  children  grow  lean  and  strong,  enhances  imaginations  and  attention  spans,  decreases  aggression,  and  boosts  classroom  performance.              In  addition,  children  who  spend  time  in  nature  regularly  are  shown  to  become  better  stewards  of  the  environment.    These  quantifiable  

benefits  are  all  good  and  well,  but  at  the  root  of  the  conversation  is  one  singular  concept:  we  know  in  our  hearts  that  nature  is  the  natural  habitat  for  children.  

       This  year’s  alumna  of  the  year  is  TJ  or  Tamara  DiCaprio.  TJ  graduated  with  a  double  major  in  ES  and  Geography.    She  herself  notes  that  she  

was  not  a  particularly  stellar  student  and  she  wandered  for  a  bit  after  graduation  before  finding  her  path.  TJ  found  that  path  when  she  followed  her  passion  for  technology,  which  led  her  to  her  job  with  Microsoft  where  she  invented  her  own  job  as  Director  of  Environmental  Sustainability.  She  is  the  Chief  Architect  of  Microsoft’s  voluntary  internal  corporate  carbon  tax  that  has  become  a  model  in  the  business  world  for  more  sustainable  resource  policies.    The  program  is  geographically  the  largest  carbon  tax  in  existence.  It  charges  business  units  within  the  company  for  emissions  from  energy  consumed  from  facilities  and  business  air  travel,  and  then  reinvests  the  proceeds  in  energy  efficiency,  clean  energy,  and  carbon  offset  community  projects.  It  has  encouraged  wise  energy  use  within  the  company  leading  Microsoft  to  reduce  their  GH  gas  emissions  by  more  than  7  million  mt  CO2e,  save  more  than  $10  million  per  year,  and  reach  more  than  3  million  people  in  emerging  nations  to  support  healthcare,  education,  women’s  empowerment,  and  wildlife  protection.              As  a  result  of  her  work  with  Microsoft,  recently  TJ  was  awarded  the  C.K.  Prahalad  award  for  Leadership  in  global  sustainability  initiatives  and  in  2013  Congress  recognized  TJ  for  receiving  the  U.S.  EPA  Individual  Leadership  award.  In  addition,  Triple  Pundit  named  TJ  in  the  top  35  Women  Leaders  in  Sustainability.  Recently  TJ  returned  from  consulting  the  White  House  and  speaking  as  a  panelist  at  the  White  House  Women  and  the  Environment  Summit  in  Washington  DC.            TJ  often  returns  to  UCSB  as  a  guest  lecturer  in  classes.  She  has  become  a  role  model  for  students  with  her  humble,  kind  and  thoughtful  lectures…  bringing  them  a  clear  message  to  “follow  their  passions”  and  to  not  be  afraid  to  put  forward  big  ideas.  They  describe  her  as  ‘uplifting’  ‘inspirational’  and  motivational.    

Ryan P. Fass Rodney J. Feddema Aida A. F. Cabrera Luke P. Fetten Kassandra L. Fillmore Robert J. Fitzsimmons Sean P. Flood Weston A. Freels Katelyn M. Freeze Allyson J. Gaarder Margaret M. Gallagher Denise J. Garcia Evan R. Garcia Stephanie L. Garcia Shelby J. Geitner Gad L. Girling Madisen L. Gittlin Juan C. Gomez Nareg R. Gourdikian Alexandra M. Grant Briana L. Gray Mauro S. Guevara Kali L. Gutierrez Kathleen M. Guzman Bjorn E. Hansen Lisa Haroutunian Patrick C. Hawkey Taylor A. Hernvall Kristen Herrera Marley D. Herrick Kalani C. Hicks Ryan J. Hitzler William C. Holland Charlie T. Hua Stephen T. Hunter Thomas N. Ichinose

 

Jonathan M. Imson Malcolm C. Jack Timothy M. Jacobs Chul S. Jang Alexander J. Jauregui Nicholle J. Jigarjian Danielle A. Johnson Erin K. Johnson Karlon H. Johnson Jr. Perry W. Jue Cora L. Kammeyer Noam Karoly Emma M. Keller Reida Khan Bryan J. Kim Jun D. Kim Katherine E. Krattenmaker Benson Kuo Dylan K. Laicher-Edwards Emily H. Lam Leslie M. Lauterbach Keith C. Leonard Riley H. Leonard Samantha C. Lepore Benjamin A. Lerner Maria E. Lira Connor R. London Nicholas L. Lorenzen Kevin H. Lu Hannah L. Luedtke Maile N. Luther Carrie Ly Shannon T. Malone Kaitlin E. Mamulski Heather M. Martin Frankie F. Martinez  

2015 Environmental Studies Graduates  

Outstanding Alumnus Award

Tamara “T.J.” DiCaprio, Class of '81

2015 Student Awards

Outstanding Academic Achievement

Awarded to ES and Hydrologic Science seniors who have completed their major and college requirements with an

outstanding overall GPA of 3.5 or higher.

* indicates Distinction in the Major Candidates

 *Kimberly  C.  Asbury  Lily  M.  Berman  Marie  A.  Biaggi  Brittany  M.  Biesterfeld  Luke  R.  Bodendorfer  Sarah  C.  Bourke  Rebecca  S.  Bracken  Samuel  G.  Breyfogle  Lisandra  J.  Cachux  Lucatero  Edwin  S.  Cheung  Kevin,  N.  Dam  Giovanna  M.  Davila  *Amelia  J.  Duvall  Veronica  H.  Emrich  Ryan  I.  Fagenson  Ryan  P.  Fass  *Robert  J.  Fitzsimmons  Allyson  J.  Gaarder  *Margaret  M.  Gallagher  *Shelby  J.  Geitner  Timothy  M.  Jacobs  Danielle  A.  Johnson  Cora  L.  Kammeyer  Noam  Karoly  Reida  Khan  Riley  H.  Leonard    Benjamin  A.  Lerner  Maile  N.  Luther  Heather  M.  Martin  

*Lauren  P.    Menzer  Rebecca  L.  Moss  Tiffany  H.  Ngo  Monique  L.  O'Conner  Erin  V.  Paddock  Kian  C.  Pakdel  Marriela  Krisha  E.  Penollar  Evan  Perlman  Paulina  P.  Pevzner  Katelyn  M.  Pilcher  Brett  F.  Ploussard  Mladen  Popovic  Maria  D.  Prado  Rosales  Amber  K.  Reedy  Catherine  F.  Reilly  Selena  T.  F.  Ross  Jazmine  N.  Saucedo  Rachel  D.  Scarlett  Marie  H.  Skari  Derek  A.  Stanley-­‐Howarth  Melissa  S.  Steritz  Melissa  M.  Taguchi  Jean-­‐Luc  F.  Thibodeau  *Evan  G.  Thomas  Victoria  E.  Tsolis  Morgan  R.  Tusa  Kristin  D.  Van  Der  Kar  Julia  A.  Varboncoeur  Erin  J.  Watt  Emilie  Weber  Wood  

Additional 2015 Accolades

Barker Scholarship

Awarded to help support unpaid environmental internships of those students who demonstrate exceptional motivation

Claire M. Jacobs

Matthew Charles Decker Memorial Scholarship Provided to enable student’s participation in wilderness field study in the area of wildlife management or environmental conservation

Emma L. Glass

2015 Phi Beta Kappa Initiates Recognizes and encourages commitment to excellence in the liberal arts and sciences

Allyson J. Gaarder Cora L. Kammeyer Rebecca L. Moss

Megan J. O’Beirne Maria D. Prado Rosales

The ES Program is most grateful to the following for their Award and Scholarship support:

Tim Olson, ES Class of '88 Greg Mohr, ES Class of '76, and Wendy Wittl The Coeta and Donald R. Barker Foundation

The Decker Family & Friends Marc McGinnes and Seyburn Zorthian Alumni and Community Supporters

And thanks to Trader Joe's on Calle Real for their generous donation of flowers and supplies for this year's reception.

 

2015 Student Awards

Outstanding Senior Awards Awarded to the top graduating students who have

demonstrated extraordinary academic excellence and a high level of extracurricular service

Amelia J. Duvall Emilie W. Wood

Outstanding Senior Thesis Award In Recognition of an exemplarily senior thesis

Natalia D. Nelson

Outstanding Service Awards

Awarded to ES students who have demonstrated exemplary environmental service within the ES Program

and/or the campus and local community

Samuel G. Breyfogle Katelyn M. Freeze Allyson J. Gaarder

Kristen Herrera Lauren P. Menzer Paulina P. Pevzner Melissa S. Steritz

Kristin D. Van Der Kar

Tom Rogers Scholarship Awarded to continuing ES students based on

personal efforts which embody the ideals of civic responsibility and environmental stewardship

Marie E. Laule Garrison Yang

Marc McGinnes Law and Advocacy Scholarship

In recognition of outstanding academic achievement in environmental law courses and outstanding

environmental service and leadership

Kian C. Pakdel

Raam S. Akiba-Hajim Hailey N. Allison Juan Alonzo Jr. Melody A. Alvarez Roberto D. Anguiano Jr. Kristin K. Arakawa Miguel A. Arteaga Kimberly C. Asbury Edward L. Atkins Linsey M. Avila Han B. Bae Sanmit M. Bapaye Lily M. Berman Marie A. Biaggi Brittany M. Biesterfeld David G. Billesbach Marissa Bills Thomas B. Block Evan B. Bobardt Luke R. Bodendorfer Luis J. Bondoc Sarah C. Bourke Tanner P. Boyle Rebecca S. Bracken Marissa C. Bragstad Samuel G. Breyfogle Daniel A. Britt George P. Brueggeman Aaron D. Bucka Raul Cabral Lisandra J. Cachux Lucatero John M. Calforda Sean P. Carey Brandon J. Chaidez Matthew Chan  

Nicolette T. Chan Jennifer Chang Samuel S. Chang Karen Chavez Abraham Cheng Ava S. Cheng Edwin S. Cheung Keith P. Cheung Keith P. Cheung Apoorva A. Chiplunkar Taylor N. Ciulei Kalena W. Clausius-Davis Lindsey Co Emilie E. Colwell Spencer L. Cook Gardner M. Cord Kevin N. Dam Giovanna M. Davila Matthew B. Day Edgar De La Torre Alexa, R. Diaz James N. Diaz Lindley A. Dobbrow Andrew M. Donnelly Trenton J. Doyle Amelia J. Duvall Taylor K. Earwood Sarah M. Ebe Dillon E. Elsbury Veronica H. Emrich Francisco J. Escobedo II Alexa E. Estacio Samantha C. Evans Aleksandra, V. Evert Jordan M. Fabula Ryan I. Fagenson

2015 Environmental Studies Graduates