The 2023 Richard H. and Karen R. Light Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Lebanon Valley College sophomore Hannah Horengic.
The $2,500 scholarship will aid Horengic in her pursuit of education in environmental science and business administration.
The scholarship is awarded annually by the Lebanon Valley Conservancy in memory of Richard H. and Karen R. Light. Applications for the scholarship were accepted earlier this year.
The scholarship is given each spring to an outstanding local student who plans to pursue a career in the environmental sciences.
A graduate of Northern Lebanon High School, Horengic is involved in LVC’s Pride of the Valley Marching Band and serves as the environmental club’s secretary. Dr. Rebecca Urban, professor of biology at LVC, recommended Horengic for the scholarship, praising her strong foundational knowledge and public speaking skills.
“Hannah is an exceptional student who has a strong foundational knowledge of environmental, biological, and chemical concepts,” said Urban. “She especially excels in species identification, learning scientific techniques, and taking exams.
“I have been especially impressed with Hannah’s public speaking development.”
Horengic has completed an internship at the Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority and participated in research with LVC’s Research First program. Scholarship committee chair Jeanne Boltz highlighted Horengic’s enthusiasm and dedication to the environment as reasons for her selection.
“We had so many great applicants this year,” said Boltz. “Hannah’s persistent enthusiasm, love of the environment, and dedication to share what she’s learning with others, made her stand out to our committee.”
Upon graduation, Horengic plans to become an environmental consultant and/or pursue a career in environmental policy and remediation projects.
The conservancy awards this annual scholarship in memory of the Lights, who greatly impacted environmental conservation in the Lebanon Valley.
This year, the conservancy participated in LVC’s 2023 Earth Days, hosting the scholarship award event featuring a lecture by landscape designer and author Larry Weaner on “Establishing Native Vegetation on Conserved Lands: Meadows, Shrublands, and Woodlands.”
The free event, attended by LVC students, staff, and community members, was sponsored by the LVC biology department, LVC’s Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee, LandStudies Inc., the Light Scholarship Committee, and the Lebanon Valley Conservancy.
For more information on the 2024 scholarship or to contribute to the conservancy’s work in Lebanon County, visit www.tlvc.org. To learn more about Weaner’s work, visit www.lweanerassociates.com.
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