To recognize outstanding achievement and vision in electronic communications technology

Karly Pence, a senior at Michigan State University with a double major in geography and journalism, is the recipient of the 2006 Carol A. Ratza Memorial Scholarship. Fluent in German, Pence holds a 3.83 GPA, is active in the Honors College and numerous student and volunteer organizations, and has completed internships in video production and multimedia web design. She hopes to pursue post-graduate education focusing on visual communication in environmental journalism. Pence’s winning essay focused on the use of visual cues and new multi-media methods to attract web site visitors and engage them in Great Lakes issues.

“I have always had a deep appreciation for Michigan’s natural resources and have pursued undergraduate research relating to the bottling of water from the state’s aquifers, drilling under the Great Lakes, organic farming and community supported agriculture,” Pence says. “Using my education on human and environmental interactions and ability to convey information with mass media, I hope to be a valuable asset to the protection of Michigan’s environment.”

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. For details or to contribute to the scholarship fund, seewww.glc.org/about/scholarships or contact Christine Manninen, manninen@glc.org.

For immediate release: July 10, 2006
Contact: Christine Manninen, manninen@glc.org, office: 734-971-9135