After spending the last few years promoting sustainability, junior David Kellner-Rode’s work was recognized when he won a $5,000 scholarship for his dedication to environmental causes.
Kellner-Rode is one of 80 college students nationwide to receive the Udall Scholarship. He is the first Linfield applicant to win the award.
The Udall Scholarship is a federal award given to those who demonstrate a commitment to careers focused on promoting environmental sustainability. It honors former Representative Morris Udall, who was dedicated to environmental activism and public service.
“David is sort of a pioneer for Linfield,” Competitive Scholarships Advisor and Instructor of History Deborah Olsen said. “There have been a few Linfield applicants in past years, but he is the first winner.”
Kellner-Rode will attend a conference in Arizona with the other scholarship recipients August 4-8.
The conference educates students about environmental issues while providing an opportunity to network and brainstorm sustainable solutions.
“I’m looking forward to connecting with these students who all share a concern for environmental issues,” Kellner-Rode said. “The more people who are thinking about the problems, the faster we can come up with solutions.”
He said that he arrived at Linfield with an interest in environmental policy, but the friends he has made during college have greatly influenced his views on sustainability.
“After connecting with new friends through Greenfield, I realized that being dedicated to sustainability wasn’t just something that had to do with school, but that it’s a total lifestyle,” Kellner-Rode said.
Since his freshman year, Kellner-Rode has immersed himself in the Linfield and McMinnville communities through various environmental causes, such as founding the Linfield Bicycle Co-Op, organizing Power Shift Linfield and serving as president of Greenfield, an environmental activism club on campus.
He also helped propose the Sustainability Grant to the Associated Students of Linfield College last year. The Grant provided $30,000 to fund environmental causes, such as a composting machine and tools for the Bicycle Co-Op.
“I feel like our generation plays a large and pressing role in promoting environmental sustainability,” Kellner-Rode said. “If we don’t face these issues head-on and stop screwing around, we’ll cause problems for the sustainability of the planet.”
Olsen said that Kellner-Rode’s scholarship is a positive reflection of the traditions of community service and activism that
Linfield promotes.
“This is a wonderful accolade to the school,” she said. “We’re becoming more and more of a ‘green’ campus. Each new class seems to be more interested in their behaviors and how their choices affect the environment.”
Kellner-Rode also attributes earning the scholarship to the influence and help of several Linfield faculty.
“I really want to thank Deborah Olsen,” Kellner-Rode said. “I couldn’t have made this happen without her. Also, Jessica Wade [community service coordinator], Rob Gardner [assistant professor of anthropology] and Tom Love [chair of sociology and anthropology and professor of anthropology] have been so supportive of me.”

Joanna Peterson
Culture reporter Joanna Peterson can be reached at [email protected]