EDITORS: Ford Scholars are listed by hometown at end of story.

ANN ARBOR—The Center for the Education of Women (CEW) at the University of Michigan has named 10 recipients of the 2001-2002 Ford Fellowships.

Nominated by their respective U-M graduate programs in the Business School, College of Engineering, and the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE), the 10 women were selected based upon demonstrated academic excellence, scholarly and professional goals, as well as their potential to make a positive contribution to society.

The Fellowships are made possible through a $500,000 gift from the Ford Motor Company Fund.

CEW was established in 1964 with a three-fold mission: dedication to research, service, and advocacy for women. The Center is committed to the advancement of women’s academic and professional goals, offering assistance to students and community members through counseling, workshops, a resource library and scholarship opportunities such as the Ford Fellowship program.

U-M Ford Fellowship recipients:

MICHIGAN

ANN ARBOR: Elizabeth Porter, Business School, holds a B.A. in comparative literature, as well as an M.A. in English literature, and is pursuing an M.B.A. at U-M. She worked as a marketer and strategist for e-business and Internet services, and recently led an internal service group in its transformation to a group serving external customers. In the non-profit sector, Porter served as the development chair for a local agency.

DETROIT: Suzan Campbell, SNRE, works as a naturalist for Belle Isle, a 1,000-acre park located on the Detroit River. In addition, she has assisted in developing a partnership with Detroit Public Schools to protect natural landscapes and created a local chapter of Wild Ones. Campbell plans to complete a degree in landscape architecture at the SNRE to broaden her undergraduate education in zoology, as she continues her career in park design.

SOUTHFIELD: Irena Gershkovich, College of Engineering, holds B.S.E. in electrical engineering, and is enrolled in the master’s program at U-Michigan in the same field. She has been involved in numerous research activities, including the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, and the Optics Program Summer Research Experience. She also worked in the Mobile Robotics Laboratory, as well as served as an electronics technician in a private industry.

TROY: Brandy Murphey, College of Engineering, has a B.S.E. in industrial and operations engineering, her graduate school major. As a part of her two undergraduate internships, Murphey explored the development of new technologies and computer-based systems, and was a Parker scholar. She represented the U-M in the National Society for Black Engineers, and worked for the College of Engineering Program Office, as well as serving as chapter president of her sorority.

YPSILANTI: Kristin Casgrain, College of Engineering, earned a B.S.E. in naval architecture and marine engineering and is currently working towards her master’s degree in the same field, specializing in hydrodynamics. She held several internships in private industry, including one that focused on design and production of ships for the U.S. Navy. As an undergraduate, Casgrain served as a student government leader and held membership in a national organization in naval engineering. She also earned the A.D. Moore Award, given to an outstanding sophomore or junior in the College of Engineering.

CALIFORNIA

SAN FRANCISCO: Judith Hochhauser, School of Business, holds a B.A. in environmental studies, as well as a certificate in sustainable development studies, and is currently working towards her M.B.A. through the Corporate Environmental Management Programs (CEMP). She has experience in environmental education, conservation policy, and marketing for high-tech business, working to apply conservation practices to a business model.

MINNESOTA

ANDOVER: Laura Shilling, College of Engineering, holds an undergraduate degree in physics and mathematics. She is enrolled in a master’s program in mechanical engineering. Through involvement with an interdisciplinary student group while she was an undergraduate experience, Shilling applied her familiarity with equipment and processes to the group dynamic and research methods.

ST. PAUL: Heather Kieweg, SNRE, holds a B.A. in biology and is enrolled in the U-M’s landscape architecture graduate program. Her academic background and her summer work experiences in the restoration of native habitats and landscapes allowed her to unite her research abilities with the skills necessary to design and implement such projects.

VIRGINIA

ARLINGTON: Melinda Murch, SNRE, holds a B.A. in Russian, and is enrolled in the Corporate Environmental Management Program (CEMP), a dual master’s program between the Business School and the School of Natural Resources and Environment. While working as a consultant, Murch contributed to several projects concerning environmental issues with the U.S. Forest Service. She was then hired by the Forest Service to help develop a federal conservation initiative. She will study ecosystem management and land planning, along with management theory and business practices.

WISCONSIN

GREEN BAY: Kari Jensen, SNRE, has a B.S. in biochemistry and is enrolled in resource ecology and management program at SNRE, and participated in several internships and jobs, including designing and conducting a research project that included acquiring data for a Wisconsin State Research Natural Area. She also worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a wildlife biology intern.

Center for the Education of Women

Business School

Ford Motor Company Fund

comparative literature

Detroit Public Schools

electrical engineering

industrial and operations engineering