The Water Environment Federation recently announced its 2022 Education Awards winners, which give recognition for significant accomplishments in promoting awareness and understanding of water environment issues through the development and execution of academic research, curricula and public education programs.

Included among the awards is the WEF Operator Scholarship, which provides funding for individuals who are seeking water sector operator education, training or certification to enter the industry or to advance their knowledge, skills, abilities or license. Awardees included:

• Amanda Martin Akins of Sparta, Georgia
• Eliseo Bonilla of Ventura, California
• William Branton of Cohasset, Massachusetts
• Denton Chas Campbell of San Angelo, Texas
• Jose Gonzalez of Loxahatchee, Florida
• Evan Hurrle of Wilson, Wyoming
• Derek Jefferson of Siletz, Oregon
• Raudel Juarez of Midlothian, Texas
• Jonathan Montovio of Woodbridge, Virginia
• Katherine Mowbray of East Jordon, Michigan
• Luis Negrete of Gardena, California
• Glenda Perrott of Cartersville, Georgia
• Todd Saums of Sylvania, Ohio
• Jeff Van Andel of Etobicoke, Ontario

Public Communication & Outreach Program Awards  

The WEF Public Education Awards recognize WEF members for significant accomplishments in promoting awareness and understanding of water environment issues among the public, through the development and implementation of public education programs.

This year’s winners included Anne Arundel County (Maryland) Watershed Stewards Academy, and Seattle Public Utilities’ Shape Our Water program.

Student Chapter of the Year Award

The Student Chapter of the Year Award recognizes one WEF Student Chapter for exemplary effort in helping WEF in building a community of empowered professionals who create a healthy global water environment.

This year’s winner was the University of Alabama’s Young Water Professionals, which is a joint student chapter of the American Water Works Association and WEF. Young Water Professionals serves to introduce university students to the wide variety of career paths in the fields of water and wastewater.

WEF Canham Graduate Studies Scholarship  

The WEF Canham Graduate Studies Scholarship provides $25,000 for a post-baccalaureate student in the water environment field. The scholarship is for education related expenses.

This year’s scholarship went to Duong Nguyen, who is in his third year of Ph.D. studies working with Dr. Anthony Straub in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at University of Colorado Boulder. For more information about each of the winners and how the funds will be used, visit WEF’s website.