For a better experience, click the Compatibility Mode icon above to turn off Compatibility Mode, which is only for viewing older websites.

Drexel's 2020 Udall Scholar: Maddie Pelchat

April 29, 2020

Congratulations to Madeleine Pelchat (BS/MS Chemical Engineering/Environmental Engineering '21, Honors), selected for the 2020 Udall Scholarship! Maddie has been selected in recognition of her leadership, public service and commitment to issues related to the environment.


Maddie is a fourth year student working towards a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.S. in Environmental Engineering specializing in environmental modeling and policy. Outside of classes she works in Dr. Montalto's lab on research related to climate change. Maddie was a 2017-18 Aspire Scholar. She is also President of Drexel's Sierra Club, Webmaster for the Engineering Honors Society Tau Beta Pi, a founding member of the Student Sustainability Coalition, and a mentor for the Society of Women Engineers. After graduation, she aspires to start her own environmental consulting firm.


The Udall Scholarship awards scholarships of up to $7000 to sophomore and junior level college students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care. Out of the 429 eligible applicants nominated from 199 institutions, 55 students from 48 colleges and universities have been selected as 2020 Udall Scholars. Maddie is one of just 37 students selected to receive a scholarship in the Environmental category.

The Udall Foundation seeks future leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics. Since the first awards in 1996, the Udall Foundation has awarded 1,733 scholarships totaling $8,860,000.

Special thanks to the members of Drexel’s 2020 Udall Campus Committee, who worked with the Center for Scholar Development during the fall and winter terms to review, interview, and advise Maddie on her application:
  • Shannon Capps, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
  • Gwen Ottinger, Associate Professor, Department of Politics
  • Elizabeth (Beth) Watson, Assistant Professor, Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science; Wetlands Section Leader, Patrick Center for Environmental Research, ANS
  • Christopher Sales, Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
For more information, please visit our Udall Scholarship page or email us at fellowships@drexel.edu.