Georgia Tech junior Thomas Christian, earth and atmospheric sciences and international affairs major, was named a Morris Udall Scholar for the second consecutive year.

"Being a recipient of the Udall Scholarship clearly has monetary and prestigious benefits but winning this for the second year in a row, being one of only seven this year to achieve this, validates my goals for the future and provides me with the support to make those goals become a reality," said Christian, who hopes to earn a master's degree in public policy or international policy studies with a focus on environmental policy. After finishing my academics, I hope to enter a career in the federal government doing work related to the environment and international affairs." Christian was the first Georgia Tech student to win the award and is now the first student to win the award twice. He was one of 80 student, selected from more than 66 colleges and universities.

A 14-member independent review committee selected this year's group of scholars on the basis of commitment to careers in the environment, health care or tribal public policy; leadership potential; and academic achievement. Each scholarship provides up to $5,000 for one year. This prestigious scholarship has generated more than 1,000 Udall Scholars since the first awards in 1996.