2023 PEP Science and Technology Scholarship Recipient Announced

Partners for Environmental Progress (PEP) Board of Directors are pleased to announce the recipient of the 2023 PEP Science and Technology Scholarship. This scholarship was established to support employees of PEP member companies and their dependents. It allows PEP to invest in and support educational opportunities in the fields of engineering and environmental sciences to expose students to critical environmental issues involving the Gulf Coast.

2023 Scholarship Recipient

Zachary Burkett, University of South Alabama
Major: Civil Engineering

Zachary Burkett is a full-time undergraduate Civil Engineering student at the University of South Alabama. He is currently a sophomore on the President’s List with a 4.0 GPA. Zachary says he has always been fascinated by how the world balances itself with nature. One of his personal concerns is the detrimental effect of plastic waste on aquatic and non-aquatic life, particularly along the Gulf Coast. After completing his degree, he aspires to design and construct systems that mitigate plastic waste, fostering a cleaner and more ethical society. Zachary’s father is David Burkett, an employee of Outokumpu Stainless.

Join us in congratulating Zachary on his award, and learn more about him in the video below!

Are you interested in applying for the PEP Scholarship? The application process will open on December 1, 2023.

Each year, PEP will award one $2500 individual scholarship to a student who meets the scholarship criteria and are enrolled in a two or four-year college or university pursuing a degree or advanced degree in:

• Natural science, including but not limited to marine science, geoscience, fisheries, forestry, estuarine science and management
  environmental science and planning
• environmental engineering
• all engineering fields (but preference is given to environmental and natural science degrees

PEP believes that successful business and community quality of life are dependent on innovation and an understanding and respect for our coastal environments and natural resources. To that end, PEP seeks to invest in and support educational opportunities in the engineering and environmental sciences to expose students to critical issues involving the Gulf Coast, encourage innovation in the work place, and promote further improvements of best practices that have a positive impact on our environment and resources. Local internships with our members and partners may be available to scholarship recipients. Scholarship recipients are welcome and encouraged to attend PEP events and meet experienced leaders in their fields, further encouraging the best and the brightest in these fields to remain as vital members of our Gulf Coast economy.

The Community Foundation will administer and select the recipients of the scholarships based on criteria established by the PEP Board of Directors.