MREA & Straubel Foundation Clean Energy Leadership Award

In partnership with the Straubel Family Foundation, MREA launched its new scholarship initiative in 2018 to foster student leadership in clean energy: MREA and Straubel Foundation Clean Energy Leadership Award. The award is designed to assist students who are pursuing degrees and/or relevant credentials in renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainability, or clean technology.

Prior to this initiative, the MREA created the Steve Hansen Scholarship Fund in honor of Steve Hansen, a brilliant educator who taught thousands of students in Wisconsin about the importance of renewable energy and environmental sustainability. The Steve Hansen Scholarship Fund was established to help the next generation carry on his important work and contributed $16,000 to 31 future sustainability innovators from 2006 – 2017.

Through our partnership with the Straubel Foundation, we will continue inspiring our future clean energy leaders and expand our impact throughout the Midwest.

Scholarship Guidelines

Scholarships are awarded to students who reside in the Midwest (WI, MN, MI, IA, IL, IN, OH, MO). Students should possess a clear goal of desiring to make her or his community, environment, or world a better and more sustainable place to live. Students should be able to show prior interest and/or education in the field. Criteria for awarding scholarships are based on leadership skills, student motivation, enthusiasm, and commitment. GPA and scholarship will be considered, but are not the deciding factor. High school students, college students, graduate students, and non-traditional students are invited to apply.

Application Process

To apply for the scholarship, please fill out our Scholarship Application Form. Applications are due to the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) by March 30th of each year.

For more information, contact .

Application Form

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2020 Recipients

MaKayla Erdmann

University of Wisconsin – Madison, WI

Biological Systems Engineering

Zara Akkuly

University of Toledo, OH

Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Environmental Science

Rebekah Nagy

Tufts University: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, MA

Offshore Wind Energy Engineering

Molly McGuire

University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, WI

Natural Resource Planning

Haley Ritchie

University of Findlay, OH

Environmental Health, Occupational Safety, and Sustainability

Jonathan Spencer

Miami University, OH

Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) – MA in Biology

Brittany Weber

Illinois State University

Sustainable & Renewable Energy

Jonah Messinger

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL

Master of Engineering in Energy Systems; Minor in the Hoeft Technology and Management program

Support Future Energy Leaders

To date, MREA’s scholarship programs have supported 54 future sustainability innovators. To make a contribution to this fund please visit our Donation Page. Your gift, in any amount, will make a lasting impression on future generations and assist them in pursuing careers that grow the clean energy industry and protect the environment. We appreciate your support.

Contribute to the Scholarship Fund

Past Recipients

2019 – Amelia Samett, Case Western Reserve University, Mechanical Engineering

2019 – Anna Prchal, South Dakota State University, Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering

2019 – Brooke Bowser, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences, Communication, and Certificate in Sustainability

2019 – Madison Barrera, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Civil Engineering

2019 – Matthew Nigh, University of Wisconsin – Platteville, Electrical Engineering & Sustainability and Renewable Energy Systems

2019 – Patrick Brodhagen, University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, Environmental Science and Geoscience

2019 – Samantha Vandyke, University of Michigan, Environment and Sustainability

2019 – Vijay Shah, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Chemical Engineering

2018 – Jacob Ng, UW-Madison, Electrical Engineering

2018 – Anna Vancina, University of Illinois Springfield, Environmental Studies

2018 – Shavaughn Lawson, UW-Milwaukee, Urban Studies

2018 – Hardik Satish Miyani, University of Illinois at Chicago, Energy Engineering

2018 – Marissa Walter, Carnegie Mellon University, Energy Science, Technology and Policy

2018 – Arjun Vorster, Trine University, Civil Engineering

2018 – Yin Ling Ng, University of Illinois at Chicago, Energy Engineering

2017 – Leah Bectel, Michigan Technological University, Environmental Engineering

2017 – Zachary Koop, University of Minnesota at Duluth/University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Electrical Engineering and Physics

2017 – Kristy Medo, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Environmental Ethics and Sustainable Energy

2016 – Wisconsin Farmers Union Camp Staff

2016 – Tracey Tyler, Wisconsin Technical College, Solar Energy Technologies and Energy Management

2016 – Lee Gill, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Electrical Engineering

2015 – Wisconsin Farmers Union Camp Staff

2015 – Reva Ogle, Ball State University, Architecture

2015 – Caitlyn Joseph, Tufts University, MS Agriculture, Food, & Environment

2014 – Brock Rainville, Mid-State Technical College, Renewable Energy Specialist

2014 – Jenny Haywood, Colby Community College, Sustainable and Renewable Energy

2013 – Adam Rutkowski, Carleton College, Physics

2013 – Chelsea Johnson, Lawrence University, Environmental Studies & English

2013 – Tyler Anderson, Madison College & Iowa Wesleyan College, Renewable Energy & Business Adminsitration

2012 – Kira Minehart, Standford University, Energy Resources Engineering

2012 – Alix Kermes, University of Florida, Sustainability & Spanish

2012 – Leah Jaynes, Northland College, Environmental Engineering

2011 – Jennifer Pietz, UW-Milwaukee, Atmospheric Sciences

2011 – Will Meadows, Lawrence University, Environmental Studies

2011 – Brad Willems, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Urban Geography

2011 – Tamas Peterson, St. Olaf, Math, Physics & Computer Science

2010 – Geoffrey Cushman, Madison College, Electrical Engineering Technology

2010 – Emily Campion, Illinois State, Renewable Energy

2010 – Mashebe Subulwa, Mid-State Technical College, Renewable Energy Technician

2009 – Lauren Knapp, Illinois State University, Renewable Energy

2009 – Holden Flaig, Mid-State Technical College, Renewable Energy Technician

2008 – Jesse Brewmer, Iowa Lakes Community College, Wind Energy & Turbine Technology

2008 – Marcus Grignon, College of Menominee Nation, Sustainable Development & Tribal Legal Studies

2008 – Justin Presny, University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, Environmental Science

2007 – Sydney Nick, Alleghny College, PA

2007 – Anthony Roeschlein, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Wind Energy Technician

2006 – Sienna Lang, Wausau East High School