UB Student Wins Competitive SUNY Award

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- University at Buffalo senior Kristina Blank -- described by her university advisers as "an example of what we hope a UB student should and could be" -- has won the highly selective State University of New York Association of Council Members and College Trustees Excellence and Student Initiative Scholarship.

Blank, an environmental studies major with a minor in chemistry, will receive $1,000 and an additional $250 donation to the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York, a charity chosen by Blank.

Blank, a native of Craryville, south of Albany, accepted her scholarship and award at the Association of College Trustees luncheon ceremony Oct. 15 in Cooperstown. Only four college students are chosen for the award throughout New York.

"Faculty, campus leaders and nationally recognized community organizers see in Kristina a powerful advocate and agent for environmental justice," says Krista L. Hanypsiak, administrative director of University Honors College who nominated Blank for the SUNY scholarship.

"This award recognizes Kristina' proven leadership, her demonstrated long-standing commitment to contributing meaningfully to the public good and her tremendous potential for continued excellence and impact."

A senior, Blank came to UB in the fall of 2008 interested in pursuing a doctor of pharmacy degree. But although she was always interested in health and medicine, Blank realized she was more intrigued by the environmental causes of diseases than the drugs that treat them. So she changed her major to environmental studies.

"I longed to pursue my true passion," Blank wrote in her scholarship application. "Environmental justice."

Since then, Blank has faced down the anxiety that followed her decision to switch from a major with a specific career path to one with much greater uncertainty. "This fear turned on something inside of me: the fierce desire to succeed," she wrote. "I want a career in which I can protect the environment -- and the people reliant upon it -- from harm. For the first time, I felt in control of my academic path."

What followed this fundamental change in Blank's career path was nothing short of astounding, according to Hanypsiak.

"Her ability to articulate this passion was striking," Hanypsiak said. "Kristina is not one to take on a project or leadership role for personal recognition or accolade. Rather, she is extremely genuine in her actions and always leads with her passion. She is incited to act because she not only believes it is the right thing to do but also feels it is her duty."

Blank describes her time at UB as a friendly and "familial" experience.

"I wanted to go to a large school after graduating from a high school class of 145, to experience a plurality of cultures and have the opportunity to meet many people -- but I was nervous about getting swallowed up as just another 'person number' at a large school," she says.

"Instead, I have had the best of both worlds, having a range of opportunities at my fingertips, but also finding a niche for myself. I love that students can be so engaged in campus life at UB if they try. The motivating atmosphere here has allowed me to pursue the experiences that resulted in the award. I am especially grateful to the Honors College, which has been a great source of opportunity for me."

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.