Junior geo-environmental studies major Caylyn Hall has been named a 2018 Newman Civic Fellow. She is one of 268 selected nationwide to participate in the fellowship offered through Campus Compact, which recognizes community-committed students who address challenges facing their communities.
Through undergraduate research opportunities, Hall became interested in environmental issues, especially those related to agriculture, food production and sustainability. She began an independent research project as a sophomore, investigating methods for producing and growing with biochar soil amendments. She wrote an undergraduate research grant and obtained funding to purchase the materials to build her own biochar kiln. She presented her research last spring at the university’s Minds@Work Conference.
Hall is president of the Shippensburg University Campus Farm Club, and also a member of SU Marching Band. She is a first-generation college student and works part-time at Chambersburg Hospital to pay her way through college.
As part of the fellowship, Hall will have opportunities to develop the skills needed to serve as an effective agent of change in the community. This includes access to in-person and virtual learning opportunities, networking events and mentoring.
