College students begin Governor's Environmental Corps Summer Internship at Illinois EPA

SPRINGFIELD—In a unique collaboration between state government and Illinois corporations, 34 undergraduate or graduate students from colleges and universities across the state reported to their Illinois EPA mentors today to begin their summer internships at the state environmental agency.  

The interns have been assigned to professional mentors in their areas of environmental interest and will be able to make meaningful contributions to the regulatory, compliance and outreach assistance at Illinois EPA.  In addition to their work experience in a professional office setting and field operations, Governor's Environmental Corps (GEC) interns also participate in regular field trips and workshops to gain first hand knowledge of current environmental challenges and solutions.  The 2007 program runs through August 3.

"Since 1991, the GEC program has provided a true hands-on learning experience for more than 600 college undergraduate or graduate students," said Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott.  "Students in such fields as engineering, geology, chemistry, biology, communications and law have gone on to careers in the environmental field.  Their contributions also energize our own staff mentors each summer." 

Interns will gain experience in sampling and inspections for land, air and water pollution, laboratory analysis, waste water, drinking water, groundwater, air quality, solid or hazardous waste, remedial projects management, public relations, legal counsel, community relations and staff training.

Interns stationed in the Springfield area who enjoy working children can also serve as volunteer instructors in the Junior Governor's Environmental Corps, an environmental awareness and education program that reaches hundreds of six-to-twelve-year olds in central Illinois each summer at camps and other venues. 

The list of students, their work location, corporate sponsor and the college or university they are attending follows:

Intern's Name EPA Location College or University Sponsor
Rebekah Petter  Springfield Lab Anderson University Abbott Laboratories
Kristopher Orton  Peoria Augustana College Archer Daniels Midland & BP America
Ashley Jacob  Springfield Lab Benedictine University Abbott Laboratories
Mary Katherine Lipe  Springfield Benedictine University Midwest Generation & Conoco Phillips
Julie Rutledge Peoria Bradley University Midwest Generation
Janay Robinson  Springfield Lab Creighton University Abbott Laboratories
Kathryn Schuerman Springfield Eastern Ill. University Veolia Environmental Services
Ray Geroff  Collinsville Illinois College Veolia Environmental Services & Afton Chemical
Li Xiaoqiong  Springfield Regional Office Ill. Institute of Technology International Truck and Engine
Josie Truong  Springfield Ill. Institute of Technology Indeck Energy Services
Gabrielle Blossom Des Plaines Ill. State University Commonwealth Edison & Innophos
Shane McCulley  Champaign Ill. State University Archer Daniels Midland
Chris Walker  Springfield Ill. State University Indeck Energy Services
Doniesha Gardner  Springfield Ill. State University International Truck and Engine
Elisabeth Kluge  Springfield Millikin University International Truck and Engine & BP America
Tom Nagawiecki  Des Plaines Monmouth College Abbott Laboratories
Jericho Winter  Rockford Northern Ill. University International Truck and Engine
Renee Petersen  Rockford Northern Ill. University Aqua-Aerobic Systems
Susi Vacek  Marion Southern Ill. University Conoco Phillips & Indeck Energy Serv.
Andrew Carr  Marion Southern Ill. University Marathon Petroleum
Maria Borejsza-Wysocka  Collinsville Southern Ill. University Edwardsville Veolia Environmental Services & American Bottoms Treatment Plant
Kusumakar Bhusal  Springfield Southern Ill. University Edwardsville BP America
Amy Brown  Springfield Regional Office University of Ill. Springfield Veolia Environmental Services
LaTrice Nettles Springfield University of Ill. Springfield Indeck Energy Services & BP America
Laura Foster  Springfield University of Ill. Springfield Commonwealth Edison
Laura Schroeder  Champaign University of Ill. Urbana-Champaign Archer Daniels Midland
Darrin Seymour  Springfield University of Ill. Urbana-Champaign Midwest Generation
Jacob Hamilton  Springfield University of Ill. Urbana-Champaign Commonwealth Edison
Kristen Edmund  Springfield University of Ill. Urbana-Champaign Abbott Laboratories & Conoco Phillips
Ross Favero  Springfield University of Ill. Urbana-Champaign Conoco Phillips
Stephanie Radliff  Springfield University of Ill. Urbana-Champaign Tyson Fresh Meats & Indeck Energy Services
Kristin Nachtwey  Springfield University of Iowa Commonwealth Edison
Megan Jones  Springfield University of Miami BP America
Patrick Devero  Springfield Valparaiso University Veolia Environmental Services & Commonwealth Edison