WASHINGTON – The Environmental Working Group proudly announces the creation of a summer fellowship program with Catawba College’s Center for the Environment.
The John Wear fellowship will let one passionate student help EWG work to promote healthier lives in a healthier environment.
The fellowship is named after John Wear, Ph.D., a longtime friend of EWG and founding director of the college’s Center for the Environment, in Salisbury, N.C.
The first person to receive the fellowship, Catawba College student Caleb Townsend, will spend this summer in EWG’s Washington, D.C., office, working closely with scientists, policy experts, media professionals and programmers to learn about all aspects of the organization’s work. The activities will include:
Supporting science investigations – monitoring and summarizing the latest research in environmental health and contributing to the creation of research reports.
Policy and legislative research – investigating policy, legislative and regulatory issues, and drafting materials for distribution to Congress, EWG partners and the public.
Media and communication – helping maintain EWG’s presence on social media and in news outlets across the country.
Under the leadership of Wear, the Center for the Environment has given Catawba College a national voice on key issues, such as clean energy and sustainability. Students have benefited from his focus on experiential learning, engaging in the center’s activities and developing skills in collaboration, communication and leadership.
Wear and EWG President and Co-founder Ken Cook have collaborated for nearly 20 years, with Cook serving on the center’s advisory board. Wear stepped down from his position in 2022, after nearly 26 years in the role. He remains active with the center and Catawba College, continuing to teach and write about environmental issues.
‘Real privilege’
“John Wear has devoted his career to teaching and mentoring students who are pursuing various paths in environmental stewardship, and he has been an invaluable friend and partner to me and EWG,” said Cook. "I can think of no one more deserving of association with the fellowship than John and the center."
“It is a real privilege to have had the opportunity to work closely with Ken Cook and his outstanding team at EWG over the years,” said Wear. “Their incredible work to safeguard the health of families and our environment nationwide and beyond is truly remarkable.
“I am deeply grateful for this recognition and the opportunities this fellowship will bring to our students now and in the future,” he added.
Townsend, the inaugural fellow, is a rising junior majoring in environment and sustainability, with concentrations in natural resource management and environmental Science. A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., he will begin his 10-week fellowship in early June.
"I am grateful and honored to represent Catawba College and Dr. Wear's remarkable legacy,” said Townsend. “I am eagerly looking forward to this unique opportunity to collaborate and learn from the top public interest leaders at EWG."
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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action. Visit www.ewg.org for more information.
