Five Unity College undergraduates were awarded Nicholas Holt Challenge Scholarships and will share $11,500 to undertake a wide range of research and internship opportunities.

The Spring 2015 Nicholas Holt Challenge Scholarship recipients are:

• Shelby Elonis, of Hamilton, N.J., to help support her internship at Wild Tracks Rehabilitation Center in Belize City, Belize;
• Stacey Foshay, of Danielson, Conn., to help support her internship at the Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation in York, Maine;
• Samantha McGarrigle, of Hampden, Maine, to support her research project, the ”Effects of Urbanization on Avian Communities in and around Vernal Pools in Central Maine”;
• Ashley Messier, of Glastonbury, Conn., to support her internship with the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, Africa; and
• Gina Zadrozny, of Pembroke, Mass., to support her internship in Wildlife Rehabilitation and Rescue at Snowden Wildlife Center in McCall, Idaho.

“These students embody what a Unity education is all about,” Unity College Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Michael Evans said. “They’re doing on-the-ground research and internships that will give them tools they need to excel in next-generation careers while yielding valuable, actionable information that will lead to real change.”

Established at Unity College in 2010, the Nicholas Holt Challenge Scholarship Fund is a gift made possible by the Holt family in collaboration with the Maine Community Foundation. The purpose of the fund is to support juniors and seniors in challenging, experiential learning projects that are self-initiated, curriculum-based and approved by an academic advisor.

Unity College was a major interest in Nick Holt’s life since 1973; he spent more than 20 years working toward accreditation of its strong environmental teaching program.  Holt was an architect, family man, befriender of strangers, Army veteran and marcher on Washington, and sailor, and a lover of color, trees and light.

“His family is pleased to honor his passion and commitment to Unity with this scholarship fund,” said Tom Mullin, co-chairman of the Nicholas Holt Challenge Scholarship Committee. “And Unity College is grateful to be a part of a program that provides students with unique opportunities that would otherwise not be possible.”

Interviews with the students, and further detail on each of the students’ specific internship and research positions, are available by contacting the director of media relations.