Marsha Barnes of Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, a senior in Wildlife Biology at Unity College in Maine, received the fall 2012 Nicholas Holt Challenge Scholarship to support her independent research on The Effects of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid as a Leachate on Aquatic Organisms.  The scholarship award covers all the expenses for her to conduct the research in her final semester at the college.

Working closely with her faculty sponsor, Associate Professor Aimee Phillippi, Barnes plans to present her results at the Unity’s spring 2013 Student Research Conference as well as submitting it for publication.

Unity College is home to the Nicholas Holt Challenge Scholarship Fund, a gift made possible by the Holt family in collaboration with the Maine Community Foundation. The College was a major interest in Nick Holt’s life since 1973.  He spent more than twenty years working toward accreditation of its strong environmental teaching program.  Holt was an architect, family man, and engaged in a variety of social causes. His family is pleased to honor his passion and commitment to Unity with this scholarship fund.  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.

Barnes was chosen by a panel based on criteria that includes a demonstrated commitment to academic excellence; the presentation of a project that is distinctive and that bears a meaningful relationship to the student’s post-graduation career and service aspirations; growth and learning experience unlikely to be available to the recipient without the support of the award; a demonstrated commitment to service; and strong record of productive involvement in the Unity College community.

Unity College is a private college in rural Maine that provides dedicated, engaged students with a liberal arts education that emphasizes the environment and natural resources. Unity College graduates are prepared to be environmental stewards, effective leaders, and responsible citizens through active learning experiences within a supportive community.