In honor of Deborah Lambert (SWANA Washington Evergreen Chapter President 2002-2005), and the many years she dedicated to the solid waste management field, the Chapter is pleased to offer scholarships to qualified undergraduate and graduate students. Since 2003, the Evergreen Chapter has awarded $179,000 through 117 scholarships.
Scholarship Categories
General Scholarship – up to $1,500
For students in any program of study
Environmental Scholarship – up to $2,500
For students pursuing a degree in environmental science, environmental studies, engineering, or another major applicable to the field of solid waste or resource management.
Eligibility
Must be accepted or enrolled at a college, university, or graduate school in WA or MT for fall 2026; or be accepted or enrolled at a college, university, or graduate school outside of WA and MT but currently reside in WA or MT.
Must be the child or grandchild of an Evergreen Chapter SWANA member in good standing or be an Evergreen Chapter student member prior to applying. Becoming a student member is free—visit SWANA’s membership page to join.
Priority will be given to students who have not won multiple Evergreen chapter scholarships.
Students who have been awarded Evergreen chapter scholarships totaling $6,000 or more are not eligible.
Application Submission
Submit your application through our online form. Applicants must upload a copy of their current transcript to the form.
Cumulative GPA, GPA for most recent term, academic rigor, academic achievement awards or recognition
Community & Extracurricular Activities (30%)
Volunteering, employment or internships, athletics, music, civic or religious organizations, activism, ROTC or military service, etc.
Career Interest in Solid Waste or Environmental Work (20%)
Current or past internships, employment, volunteering, or research in the field. Highly qualified applicants will demonstrate through their coursework and short essay their desire to do solid waste or environmental work.
SWANA International Scholarship Opportunities
In addition to the Deborah Lambert Memorial Scholarship, additional scholarships are available through SWANA International Scholarships.
To apply for these scholarships, students must submit their complete applications to twright@herrerainc.com by May 1. The Evergreen Chapter will review and score the applications based on each scholarship’s eligibility criteria. After scoring the applications, the Evergreen Chapter will submit one candidate per scholarship to SWANA International for Consideration.
2025 Deborah Lambert Memorial Scholarship Recipients
Ebubechi Abonyi
University of Washington
Read Ebubechi’s Bio
Ebubechi Abonyi is an Architectural Design student at the University of Washington with a strong focus on sustainable design practices. Her work centers on advancing approaches that enable the built environment to contribute positively to ecological systems. In addition to her studies, she conducts research in a University of Washington lab developing water filtration solutions for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Samantha Werner
Montana State University
Read Samantha’s Bio
Samantha is studying biochemistry with an environmental emphasis at Montana State University in Bozeman. As a daughter of a civil engineer specializing in waste management, she has always had an interest in human impacts on the environment. This interest was further nurtured with yearly trips to various national parks in the summer with her family. This passion for all things nature has heavily impacted her academic and career decisions, and she hopes to innovate ways to help conserve the environment to that future generations can experience the same awe inspiring landscapes she has.
Shakshi Gandhi
University of Washington
Read Shakshi’s Bio
I am a data professional with approximately three years of experience spanning analytics, data science, and business insights across organizations such as ZS Associates, Oracle, and Colgate. My expertise lies in transforming complex data into insights that drive decision-making. Currently, I am pursuing my Master of Science in Information Management at the University of Washington, specializing in Data Science and Business Intelligence. I am passionate about using data to uncover meaningful stories and create real-world impact.
Emery Hansen
Saint Martin’s University
Read Emery’s Bio
Emery Hansen is a student-athlete at Saint Martin’s University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. Inspired by Deborah Lambert’s legacy, Emery hopes to use her future classroom as a place to educate the next generation about environmental responsibility, the importance of solid waste management, and the impact we all have in creating a more sustainable future. She has a heart to serve and is passionate about motivating others to take action that protects and improves our planet.
Mariah Rubin
University of Washington
Read Mariah’s Bio
Mariah is a dual-degree Master’s student at the University of Washington pursuing a Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences and a Master of Urban Planning. She is deeply passionate about the intersections between the built environment and public health, with a particular focus on food systems, creative waste management solutions, and advancing environmental and health equity. In her final year of graduate school, she will complete a thesis that combines these interests by developing and comparing different educational methods to inform businesses about Business Organics Management Areas (BOMA), including food rescue initiatives that help address food insecurity while also diverting waste from landfills.
Regan Hunt
Oregon State University
Read Regan’s Bio
Regan Hunt is a Freshman at Oregon State pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. She would like to become an environmental specialist for a manufacturing or production facility in a mentorship role.
2026 Corporate Sponsorships
Gold Level
Silver Level
2026 Individual Donors
Mary Shanks Erin Hislop Jeanette Jurgensen Stephanie Schwenger Meara Heubach Margo Gillaspy Sterling Bath Emily Rhoades Kaylie Wallin Amara Cairns Tiffany Neier Laura Belt Henry Friedman Michael Spillane Dan Swope George Iftner Phil Coughlan Jon Gire Lewis Griffith Michelle Griffith Katie Swanson Scott Messier Matt Hobson Suzanne Sturgeon Wesley Hovatter Steve Brum Alissa Campbell Olivia Kirby Anthony Brocato Kevin Bumgarner Martin Mudd Dawn Marie Maurer John Richards Diana Wadley-Girard Ted Massart Michelle Langdon Kevin Kiernan Amanda Levine Danna Vedder Natalie Gustafson Peter Christiansen Evan Coughlan Peter Bannister
