Congratulations to Sara Dunn, recipient of 2016 Edna Lawrence Scholarship

Each year it is our pleasure to award one of our work-study students with the Edna Lawrence Scholarship, generously donated by the family of Edna Lawrence. Nature Lab staff members select a student who we feel best exemplifies Edna Lawrence’s spirit and interest in nature, a student who demonstrates commitment and dedication to the Lab and its mission. This year's recipient is Sara Dunn, IL 17.

Sara has been a dedicated and industrious Nature Lab work-study student since she was hired in June 2015. Aside from her regular duties as a Lab monitor, Sara studies and cares for our live plants and specimens from our natural history collection. The inspiration she draws from the Lab has helped inform her beautiful drawings, illustrations and projects, including a book cover on the life of Edna Lawrence.

Upon receipt of the award, Sara said "The Nature Lab is such an inspirational and calming place for me. I felt that it was important for me to understand the lab's origins and reason for existing".

Edna envisioned the Nature Lab as a place for students to find inspiration from the endless variety of patterns, colors and shapes that unfold when closely observing nature. To this day, the Nature Lab is a valuable campus resource used by students from every department. Edna’s beliefs live on with students like Sara whose work directly reflects Edna’s commitment to helping students translate the natural world into their own practice.