He is among 17 women and eight men chosen from universities in California and New England to receive a fellowship, which is one the nation’s most prestigious awards for early-career environmental leaders. Each year, at least 20 future environmental leaders are awarded $15,000 each from the Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation to complete masters and doctoral degrees to advance their skills and develop their expertise to address critical conservation challenges. This year, 25 fellowships were awarded.
This year’s Dartmouth recipient is Matthew Davis: Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. Matthew is pursuing a Master of Public Health. He looks forward to investigating the interface between human health and environmental quality, and using this research to forward policy in both arenas. Before enrolling at Dartmouth, Matthew was the Organizational Development Regional Director for Environment America and U.S. PIRG, overseeing and advising the work of Environment Maine, Environment New Hampshire, Environment Iowa, Environment Georgia and Georgia PIRG. As part of that work, he wrote and managed grants for more than $400,000 annually to fund work in various states, and co-authored numerous policy reports on issues ranging from water pollution to global warming emissions from the transportation sector. He was the founder and Advocate at Environment Maine from 2003-2006, representing the organization to Maine media, organizations and decision makers. Previously, he was U.S. PIRG’s New England Field Organizer, organizing in Maine since 2001. Matthew graduated from Swarthmore College in 2001 with a B.A. in Biology and Environmental Studies concentration, Phi Beta Kappa.
“The Switzer Foundation makes strategic investments in individual leadership to improve environmental quality,” explained Lissa Widoff, Executive Director of the Switzer Foundation. “The 2008 class of Fellows provides us with remarkable talent in environmental science and policy at a time when issues like alternative energy, habitat conservation, and environmental and public health are at the forefront of the environmental agenda. Our Fellows are shaping that agenda.”
The Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation identifies, supports, and nurtures environmental leaders. Fellowships are merit-based and rigorously competitive. Applications are evaluated based on demonstration of environmental problem solving, critical analysis and communication skills, relevant work and volunteer experience, necessary scientific or technical background for the field of study, the applicant’s career goals, and the potential of the candidate to initiate and effect positive environmental change.
The Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation was established by Robert C. Switzer, co-creator of fluorescent paints and co-founder of the Day Glo Color Corporation, and his wife, Patricia. As a lifelong environmentalist and an executive in a regulated company, Robert Switzer realized the need for scientific and technical expertise as well as leadership to proactively solve problems related to environmental quality. The first Switzer Environmental Fellowships were awarded in 1986.
Over the years, more than 425 Fellows have been chosen from approximately 55 academic institutions in California and New England. In addition to its Fellowships, the Switzer Foundation operates a Leadership Grants Program that funds projects between non-profit environmental organizations and Switzer Fellowship alumni, and a Collaborative Initiatives Fund that encourages collaborations between Switzer Fellows to solve environmental problems. The Switzer Fellowship Network provides a link between past and current Fellows and professionals in the environmental community. A career coaching and mentoring program is also available to counsel, support, and encourage Fellows in attaining their career goals.
A brief list of the entire 2008 class of Switzer Fellows is attached.
More information on the 2008 class of Switzer Fellows, and the fellowship program, is available on the Foundation website (www.switzernetwork.org).
