2021 Butler Fellows to Conduct Research
Jun 9, 2021 | University Relations staff
DUBUQUE, Iowa – Four University of Dubuque students will participate in the John and Alice Butler Summer Research Fellowship as land management interns at the University’s Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center this summer.
“The John and Alice Butler Summer Research Fellowship program provides students with the opportunity to do tailored scholarly work with University faculty or participate in internship opportunities within their intended profession. In addition, Butler fellows build professional relationships through a variety of activities such as mock interviews, networking, resume and cover letter design, and communication skill-building that will enhance their post-graduate employment” said Mark Sinton, PhD, director of the John and Alice Butler Summer Research Fellowship.
Fellows will commit 400 hours of work on their research or internship over a 10 week period. They will each receive a stipend of $4,500 and an additional $500 for research/internship associated supplies and/or travel costs. Fellows are required to present their research or internship during the following academic year at a local, regional, or national conference.
“I’m grateful to John and Alice Butler for their investment in, and care for, University of Dubuque students. Through the John and Alice Summer Butler Research Fellowship, students will obtain valuable experience and build professional relationships this year as land management interns at the University’s Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center,” said President of the University of Dubuque Rev. Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD.
The following students were named 2021 Butler Fellows:
Grace Mayberry, a junior environmental science major from Morrison, Illinois
Project: Land Management Intern at the University’s Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center
Advisors: Eric Nie (C’15), environmental specialist at Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center, and Gerald Zuercher, PhD, professor of biology and vertebrate ecology
“What it means to me to be named a Butler Fellow is personal growth – this opportunity that has been given to me by the John and Alice Butler Summer Research Fellowship has really helped me grow as a person to reach my future goals in environmental science. I hope that my assigned project will help me develop the skills I will need for my future career in the environmental science field. My goal is to apply for a job maintaining land and wildlife at a nature preserve, state park, or national park. Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center will teach me how to identify and get rid of invasive species, manage trails, learn about control burns, work machinery, use special land management tools, etc. Not only will it teach me land management skills, but it will also help me develop leadership skills, communication skills, problem-solving skills, and many more important life skills. I am very thankful for this opportunity that has been presented to me.”
Paige Peterson, a senior environmental science and biology double major from Davenport, Iowa
Project: Land Management Intern at the University’s Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center
Advisors: Eric Nie (C’15), environmental specialist at Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center, and Gerald Zuercher, PhD, professor of biology and vertebrate ecology
“Being named a Butler Fellow means the world to me. I am beyond grateful to everyone who has made it possible for me to be a land management intern at Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center. I feel extremely blessed to be a part of this elite opportunity. I hope to learn how to properly manage prairie and woodlands native to eastern Iowa, build my professional network, and dive deeper into my personal development within environmental science. Lastly, I hope to learn how to effectively and efficiently put these skills into my future work as an environmental scientist.”
Max Snowden, a senior environmental science major from Round Lake, Illinois
Project: Land Management Intern at the University’s Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center
Advisors: Eric Nie (C’15), environmental specialist at Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center, and Gerald Zuercher, PhD, professor of biology and vertebrate ecology
“Being named a Butler Fellow is exciting and means a lot. The fellowship will allow me to get hands on and unique experiences in my field of environmental science. It will also help provide me valuable experience for life after college. With my project I hope to improve and have a positive impact on the Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center property by using practices I have learned in my environmental science classes at UD.”
Dillon Tierney, a junior environmental science major from Nora Springs, Iowa
Project: Land Management Intern at the University’s the University’s Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center
Advisors: Eric Nie (C’15), environmental specialist at Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center, and Gerald Zuercher, PhD, professor of biology and vertebrate ecology
“I am honored to be able to represent the University of Dubuque through this fellowship. This will provide me with many learning opportunities that I wouldn’t receive elsewhere. I hope to learn a lot about land conservation that I will be able to apply in my future career.”
