1998 Carol A. Ratza Memorial Scholarship
To recognize outstanding achievement and vision in electronic communications technology

Jill Hallden, a graduate student in geography at Michigan State University, was awarded the inaugural Carol A. Ratza Memorial Scholarship on April 1, 1998.

"One of the first projects I became involved with as a graduate student was a study of two Michigan watersheds for the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station. The study, part of the Status and Potential of Michigan's Natural Resources project (SAPMINR), examined the effects of 50 years of development on both the Black River watershed (in northern Lower Michigan) and the Huron River watershed (in southeastern Lower Michigan). While my role was relatively small, it became clear to me that this was the type of project that could have a significant impact on the way communities and government bodies make decisions about development in the region.

"By comparing the impact of development on a watershed in a heavily populated area to the virtually unchanged condition of a watershed in a sparsely developed area, the researchers could reach some conclusions about the environmental costs of development -- conclusions that could ripple through all levels of government, from large state agencies to local planning boards, and affect the pace and type of development permitted in our communities.

"There are studies like this going on every day at nearly every university and agency in the Great Lakes region -- each contributing large volumes of data and drawing potentially significant conclusions about our economic and environmental development. With every new study, the need for sharing information already learned becomes greater and greater. Both the researchers -- who wish not to re-explore ground already explored -- and the beneficiaries of the research -- who wish to have as many of the facts as possible -- require a smooth exchange of information. Electronic communications technology, particularly the role of the Internet, appears to be the best method to facilitate this information delivery.

"...the most effective sustainable-development planning and the most effective decision making is not necessarily found in the large state agencies that have the most access to information. It's the smallest entities -- the city planning board, the county commissioners, the individual farmer -- whose decisions ripple up through the system."

About the Carol A. Ratza Memorial Scholarship
The Ratza Scholarship was established in 1998 in memory of Carol A. Ratza who directed the Commission's Communications Program from 1986-1997. The competition is open to high school seniors and returning students enrolled full-time at a Great Lakes college or university. The 2006 application deadline is April 3. For details or to contribute to the scholarship fund, see www.glc.org/about/scholarships or contact Christine Manninen, manninen@glc.org.