Two Tigers receive Udall Undergraduate Scholarship

June 18, 2026

Two University of Missouri students were among 65 students nationwide to receive a Udall Undergraduate Scholarship recognizing leadership, public service and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or the environment.

The scholarship honors the legacies of Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall, whose careers significantly impacted Native American self-governance, health care and stewardship of public lands and natural resources. The Udall Foundation awards the scholarships each year to college sophomores and juniors.

Mizzou’s recipients are:

Caspar Dowdy
Junior
Double majoring in environmental sciences and journalism and pursuing an Honors College Certificate

While at Mizzou, Caspar Dowdy combined an expertise in journalism with an interest in environmental issues to help the public better understand complex scientific topics. The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship will bring that work to wider audiences.

“I was excited, for sure, but also incredibly grateful for all of the people who helped me reach that point,” Dowdy said.

Dowdy is currently an undergraduate research assistant in the Center for Agroforestry, specifically in the laboratory of Chung-Ho Lin, a research professor in the School of Natural Resources in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). Dowdy, who is also in the Missouri School of Journalism, works as a student reporter for KBIA public radio.

“Caspar’s passion for environmental reporting is driven by a deep concern for the planet and a desire to use science and storytelling to effect positive change,” Lin said.

Ben Walters
Junior
Double majoring in environmental sciences and natural resource science and management

For Ben Walters, the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship will connect research on ectomycorrhizal fungi and forest resilience with broader conversations about environmental policy and land stewardship.

“More than anything, receiving with award felt affirming — not just personally, but as recognition that the work I hope to do in forest ecology and ectomycorrhizal systems matters,” Walters said.

Walters, a U.S. Navy veteran, currently works in the laboratory of Morgan Davis, an assistant professor in CAFNR’s School of Natural Resources. This summer, the team will begin a project at the Prairie Fork Conservation Area, in Sam Lord’s Soil Ecology Lab.

“What stands out about Ben is not only his technical competence but the way he situates the work within broader environmental questions,” Lord said. “He understands that fungal community composition is not an isolated academic topic, but part of a larger conversation about forest resilience, biodiversity recovery and long-term land stewardship.”