In 2012, Steven Curtis, an American student looking for a graduate programme that would prepare him to work within the environmental field met with Lund University representatives at an education fair in Chicago. There, he learned about the scholarship competition ”Challenge Your Perspectives” that Lund University was running for students in the USA within this specific interest area. Steven entered the competition and applied to the Lund University Master’s Programme in Environmental Management and Policy. A few months later, he was announced the winner of the competition at an exclusive prize ceremony at the Swedish embassy in Washington D.C. He was awarded the first prize, a full scholarship (co-funded by Lund University and the Swedish Institute) to study the two year Master’s programme. Handing him the certificate was Sweden’s ambassador to the USA, Jonas Hafström.
Steven started the programme in late 2013 and for two years, he has been challenging his perspectives on environmental issues with his teachers and peers at the International Institute of Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) at Lund University . On Friday 25 September 2015, Steven graduated from the programme as IIIEE:s ”Student of the year 2015”. At the graduation ceremony, Steven was once again able to be congratulated by Jonas Hafström, who attended the ceremony in his new role as the Chairman of Lund University.
The circle has been closed and Steven will now take on a new role too – as a proud LU/IIIEE alumnus and an ambassador for the environment. Congratulations, Steven!