The Log | School News

Special awards recognize 2007 graduates

Virlis L. Fischer Award—Goes to the graduating professional degree student with the highest academic achievement. Given by Bernice Fischer in memory of her husband.
Recipient: Bradley Graham Pogue
Hometown: Winston-Salem, N.C.;
Major: MEM,Coastal Environmental Management;
Activities at Duke: member of The Coastal Society, research assistantship with ParksWatch at the Duke Center for Tropical Conservation, Stanback Intern with the North Carolina Coastal Federation;
Post-Graduation Destination: “Remaining in Beaufort, N.C.with my wife, Amber Pogue, who is teaching 7th grade science in New Bern. Since early May, I have been working as a shoreline surveyor and GIS analyst for the N.C. Shellfish Sanitation and Recreational Water Quality Section of the N.C.Department of Environment and Natural Resources.”;
Future Goals: “I plan to continue pursuing a career in coastal zone management in either the nonprofit or government sector. I hope to use the skills and knowledge gained at the Nicholas School to make a positive impact on efforts to protect and conserve the coastal environment.”

Sara LaBoskey Award—Given in recognition of personal integrity and academic excellence.
Recipient: Brian Wright
Hometown: High Point, N.C.;
Major: A.B., Environmental Sciences and Policy, Documentary Studies Certificate;
Activities at Duke: staff member and program director of Project WILD (freshman wilderness pre-orientation program); co-founder of Step into the WILD, a multi-day wilderness education program for Durham High School students; Students of the World student documentary collective; president of Outing Club; Stanback Internship with Conservation Council of N.C.; Intern with Winston-Salem-based CHANGE, a community organizing NGO;
Awards/Honors: B.N.Duke Leadership Scholarship,Hart Fellowship,Magna Cum Laude;
Post-Graduation Destination: “Manila, the Philippines. I will be working for 10 months with the Institute of Social Order (ISO) on their Community-Based Coastal Resource Management projects as part of a Hart Leadership Fellowship in Public Policy. After that I will be joining the Teach for America corps in rural New Mexico.”
Future Goals: “In general, to advance social, economic and personal development through environmentally focused and sustainable activities.As far as the details go, only time will tell.”

Thomas V. Laska Memorial Award—Given by the Earth and Ocean Sciences faculty to the most outstanding senior major.
Recipient: Amy Stopford
Hometown: Hillsborough,N.C.;
Major: B.S., Earth and Ocean Sciences.;
Activities at Duke: Duke Field Hockey Team;
Awards/Honors: Spring Dean’s List (2004–2006); Fall Dean’s List (2006);Academic All-American (2003–2007);All-ACC field hockey (2005–06); First Team All-American (2006); Nominated for the Honda Award (given to top field hockey player in the nation, 4 nominees, 2006);
Post-Graduation Destination: “I am trying out for the U.S. national field hockey team this summer. I would like to get a job in an environmental field. I studied abroad in Australia this semester, and I wouldn’t mind moving back there and working near the Great Barrier Reef.”;
Future Goals: “I also enjoy medicine, so I plan to go to graduate school either in public health or in an environmentrelated field.”