Shane Baldauf, a sophomore in architecture and planning at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ who is dedicated to ‘green' and affordable housing, has been awarded a prestigious Udall Scholarship.
The $5,000 scholarship from the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation is awarded to U.S. sophomores and juniors with a commitment to careers related to the environment, Native American health care or tribal public policy. He will be recognized at an August ceremony in Tucson, Ariz., attended by other recipients, policymakers and community leaders.
Since setting foot on the CU-Boulder campus with a Boettcher Scholarship, which covers tuition and living expenses for four years, Baldauf has committed to using the time he would have spent working to pay for college for volunteering. His volunteer work with Flatirons Habitat for Humanity has enriched his interest in sustainable building practices and civic engagement.
"Not only is ‘green' construction good for the environment, but homes that perform more efficiently benefit the occupants too," said Baldauf. "If you think about it, the people who most need affordable housing are also the ones who need the lowest utility bills, and we're working to provide that situation through Habitat for Humanity houses."
Baldauf co-founded the company BOULD, which implements a program called HabitatPro. The program helps integrate U.S. Green Building Council benchmarks called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, standards into Habitat for Humanity construction. Through HabitatPro, professionals and students working and volunteering grow from experiential learning opportunities.
"Students can come out and gain unique, hands-on experience by building LEED homes, while also earning LEED professional credentials," said Baldauf. "These Habitat houses are some of the most sustainable being built anywhere, and the experience gives participants a leg up in the building design and construction job market."
Since 1996, eight CU-Boulder students have been recognized with a Udall Scholarship.
"Having yet another CU student recognized by the Udall Foundation is a wonderful testament to our students' commitment to work on environmental issues and community development," said Deborah Viles, top scholarship director at CU-Boulder. "Shane has shown exemplary skills and dedication as a student and he will undoubtedly make significant contributions to society in his career."
An independent review committee selected this year's class of 80 Udall Scholars. Baldauf was chosen from a pool of 510 candidates nominated by 231 colleges and universities across the country.
For a listing of all the 2011 Udall Scholars and honorable mentions, as well as more information about the Udall Foundation and its programs, visit .
