As the recipient of numerous merit scholarships, as well as a nominee for the national Morris K. Udall Scholarship in 2005, Melanie Murphy (05 - 07) understands the power of philanthropy. While working toward a graduate degree in agricultural resource economics, Murphy helped establish the Green Campus Fund, an endowment designed to expand environmental initiatives like sustainable building, water conservation and recycling at UConn.
Murphy made the most of her five years at UConn, earning bachelor's and masters degrees, joining EcoHusky and running on the track and field team, for which she was named the Counseling Program for Intercollegiate Athletes (CPIA) Women's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete in 2006. In addition to being recognized as an Honors Scholar and a New England Scholar, she received the Alan S. Farwell Scholarship, the Marvin W. Kottke Scholarship, the Russel Palen Scholarship and a graduate assistantship, all through the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
"I'm very grateful for the financial support provided by the donors and schools," says Murphy. "The recognition for earning the scholarships was continually motivating to me as a student, and, with all the stress of starting a career, I am very grateful that loan debt is not something I'll lose sleep over."
During an internship at the Office of Environmental Policy (OEP), Murphy learned to apply her academic knowledge toward practical solutions by, for example, documenting the installation of rain gardens to reduce pollution runoff outside Hilltop Apartments on campus. Wanting to contribute toward a permanent source of funding for such activities, Murphy worked alongside Richard Miller, director of OEP, to develop the Green Campus Fund.
"There is such widespread support for sustainability and greening among our faculty, staff, parents and alumni that a green fund seemed sensible. Individuals will be able to see tangible results from their donation, and these projects will, in turn, benefit the entire University community," says Murphy.
Murphy now works at an investment and research firm in New York City. Eventually, she would like to focus on investment in the emerging clean energy sector.
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