Kansas State University

Two students recognized for honorable mentions in Udall Undergraduate Scholarship

Submitted by Communications and Marketing

Two Kansas State University students are among 55 honorable mentions recognized nationally for the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship. 

Recipients are Prerona Kundu, junior in mechanical engineering, Lawrence; and MacKenzie Cline, junior in biological systems engineering, Lincoln, Nebraska. 

The national scholarship is for college students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy or Native American health care. This year, there were 443 eligible nominees for the Udall scholarship. 

Kundu conducts research in the Radiological Engineering Analysis Laboratory. She is working to develop a radiation risk model that simulates and predicts cancer risks over a broad range of populations, doses, dose rates and radiation types. She hopes to pursue a career in nuclear energy and is eager to continue exploring sustainable energy and radiation protection. Kundu also received a Johnson Cancer Research Center Award, Department of Energy Integrated University Program Scholarship, K-State Putnam Scholarship, Department of Energy Integrated University Program Scholarship, Nuclear Energy Scholarship Program, McLain Scholarship, KAMS Scholarship, Chestnut STEM Scholarship and Kompass Project Fund. She serves as president of the American Nuclear Society and vice president of Alpha Nu Sigma National Honor Society. She is involved in the Engineering Leadership and Innovation Program in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering. 

Cline hopes to pursue a career as an environmental engineer in Europe or acquire a master's degree in this field at a university in Europe. She is eager to continue learning about the sustainable use of the Earth's water resources and its implications related to future agricultural demand. Cline is president of Smurthwaite Scholarship/Leadership House, vice president of Steel Ring and secretary of Engineers Without Borders. She is a member of the Leadership and Innovation Program in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering. Cline also played piccolo in the K-State Marching Band for two years. 

Rising sophomores and juniors are encouraged to email Jim Hohenbary, director of the office of nationally competitive scholarships, at jimlth@k-state.edu if they would like to set an appointment to learn more about the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship opportunity.