7th Annual Earth Day Reception Honors Outstanding Young Women Scientists

The Edith Patch Award is given each year to outstanding undergraduate and graduate women at the University of Maine, in acknowledgement of distinguished work that they have done here, and in recognition of their promise for future contribution to the fields of science, agriculture, engineering, or environmental education.

Dr. Patch (1876-1954) was the first woman scientist employed by the University of Maine. She earned professional renown for her work as an agricultural entomologist and was respected and revered worldwide for her engaging and informative writings about natural history. She was one of America's earliest environmental advocates, calling for reduction in chemical pesticide use a generation before Rachel Carson. The Friends of Dr. Edith Marion Patch are working to honor the legacy of this eminent Maine woman through publications, programs, awards, and the establishment of the Dr. Edith Marion Patch Center for the Environment and Education at Braeside, her restored home adjacent to the UMaine campus.

The 7th Annual Earth Day celebration in honor of Dr. Patch was held on Sunday, April 22 sponsored by the Friends of Patch and hosted by the Fogler Library Friends.

This year's outstanding Edith Patch Awardees are Margaret Burns, Bachelor's degree program, Ecology and Environmental Science and the Honors College; Tawny Virgilio, Master's degree program, School of Biology and Ecology; Kristin Gabor, Ph.D. program, Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences; and Adrienne Leppold, Ph.D. program, School of Biology and Ecology.

The 2012 Edith Patch Distinguished Nominees are Haley Engelberth, Master's Degree Program, Ecology and Environmental Sciences and Breana Bennett, Bachelor's Degree Program, Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences and the Honors College.

Picture above are standing left to right: Haley Engleberth, Professor Ivan Fernandez, Margaret Burns, Professor Carol Kim, Kristin Gabor and Adrienne Leppold. Seated are Professor Rebecca Holberton and Tawny Virgilio.

Those interested in support the work of the Friends of Dr. Edith Marion Patch may do so by contacting the planned giving officers at the University of Maine Foundation.