EESI Announces First Recipient of Future Climate Leaders Scholarship

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) congratulates Antoinette “Toni” Lorfils of Damascus, Maryland, who is the first recipient of EESI's $5,000 Future Climate Leaders Scholarship.

Lorfils has demonstrated a commitment to climate action and environmental protection and is especially keen on protecting animals and wildlife. “Seeing how humans have had such a strong impact on our environment in more of a negative way than a positive one was the reason I wanted to be someone for change,” says Lorfils. “My goal is to educate others, be the change and help find better solutions to make the world a better place. Once we all understand that helping the Earth is for everyone’s greater good, the world will be a much happier place to call home.”

Lorfils is majoring in animal sciences at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, with an expected graduation in 2024. An honor student, she is also very engaged as a church youth leader.

“Congratulations to Toni!” said EESI Board Chair Jared Blum. “I’m so happy our scholarship program is off to such a great start. The environmental field will unquestionably benefit from greater diversity and representation, and we at EESI are committed to help make that happen. EESI’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is part of our DNA.”

“This scholarship was first suggested by EESI’s board and our strong board commitment helped speed its implementation along,” said EESI Board Vice Chair Linda Church-Ciocci, who also chairs the EESI board committee on diversity, equity, and inclusion. “But we’re not just going to write Toni a check and call it a day! We’re hoping to provide her with contacts and knowledge that will help her as she embarks on what I’m sure will be a fulfilling career in the environmental field.”

As part of its commitment to promote and advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) launched a scholarship for Future Climate Leaders in November 2021. EESI is awarding up to $5,000 each academic year to an undergraduate student pursuing studies relevant to environmental, clean energy, and climate policy at a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the mid-Atlantic or southern region. The EESI Future Climate Leaders Scholarship program is managed by UNCF (United Negro College Fund), a philanthropic organization that has raised more than $5 billion since 1944 to provide financial support to its 37 member HBCUs and to fund scholarships and other academic support programs for talented, deserving students.

Applications for the next scholarship award will open later this spring for the fall semester.

Learn more about EESI's commitment to promote and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (www.eesi.org) is an independent, non-profit organization advancing innovative policy solutions to set us on a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy path. EESI educates policymakers, builds coalitions and develops policy in support of energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable biomass, sustainable buildings, and sustainable transportation. EESI was founded by a bipartisan Congressional caucus in 1984, and its strong relationship with Congress helps EESI serve as a trusted source of credible, non-partisan information on energy and environmental issues. EESI receives no congressional funding and is supported through contributions and grants.

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20% of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.