Schools

DGS Senior Gets $5,000 Scholarship from Environmental Trade Association

The Environmental Industry Associations -- Women's Council Scholarship Program has recognized Zachary Kuerschner.

Zachary Aaron Kuerschner, a senior at Downers Grove South High School, will receive a $5,000 scholarship from the Environmental Industry Associations—Women’s Council Scholarship Program.

The program recognizes outstanding students with an interest in the solid waste and environmental industries.  

Kuerschner has been accepted to multiple universities to study business, according to a press release. In addition to his high academic promise, he played football throughout high school, was a member of the National Honors Society and worked at a local food pantry.

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Inspired by his father and uncle, both employees of Waste Management in Illinois, Kuerschner has chosen to study Operations and Logistics Management to improve environmental sustainability.

The Environmental Industry Associations is a non-profit trade association that represents for-profit companies in the waste service and equipment industry throughout the United States.

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“Our scholarship candidates’ qualifications improve every year, which makes the decision process challenging, but even more rewarding for the committee,” said Kirsti Nelson of Otto Environmental and EIA Women’s Council President in a release.

“The diversity among this year’s winners is a demonstration to the vast array of applicants who are interested in environmentalism. We have one awardee who will study civil engineering, one interested in operations, and one who is pursuing the legal side of our industry. What an honor and pleasure for the Women’s Council to invest in our industry’s future with such fine individuals.”

The EIA Women’s Council is a sub-group that fosters professional development and strives to increase the business, financial and leadership skills of women in the waste industry through education, workshops, mentoring, and networking.

“These scholarships go to those who aspire to careers serving the environment. Every year, we see increased promise for our industry when we evaluate applications," said Mary Margaret Cowhey, of Land & Lakes Company and EIA Scholarship Chair.

“We’ve awarded scholarships to high school students, grad students and returning adults going to night school. This scholarship is an opportunity for everyone in the solid waste industry to advance in their careers. That’s what the Women’s Council is all about.”

The EIA Women’s Council established its annual scholarship program to assist qualified individuals in their pursuit of an education that will lead to productive careers in the environmental industry. All EIA member employees and their dependents are eligible to apply. The Women's Council has awarded scholarships to about twenty students during the last six years.


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