ENR Scholars cultivates an inclusive and welcoming community within Ohio State, serves the environment on our campus and beyond, prepares tomorrow’s professionals and leaders through experiential learning, and nurtures connections to nature and outdoor adventure.
The ENR Scholars Program focuses on environmental issues in our society and using innovative thinking to solve these problems. Students will be introduced to a variety of campus and community resources related to leadership, service, study abroad, internships, careers, and research.
Academics
ENR Scholars Seminar introduces participants to the themes of environmental issues, sustainability, wildlife management, ecosystem restoration, energy, social justice, and more. Students will learn to think critically about environmental issues and create innovative solutions to these issues. Students also learn about resources on and off of campus related to environmental sustainability they can use to further their interest in the environment.
First Year Requirements
In the first year of the ENR Scholars Program, students will form a basis of understanding about environmental issues and possible solutions to these issues. Students will connect with their peers, faculty members, and environmental professionals to think about these issues. They will also participate in hands-on activities, recreational opportunities, and service projects to connect them with the natural world.
Second Year Requirements
In the second year of the ENR Scholars Program, students will continue to explore environmental issues, but with more of a critical eye. Students will be expected to become more individually connected to their interest in the environment through involvement in student organizations, leadership activities, and service projects outside of ENR Scholars.
Events and Activities
The ENR Scholars participate in multiple experiences both on and off campus.
Signature Programs
- Annual Camping Trip - ENR Scholars travel to Hocking Hills State Park for a weekend camping trip together. They participate in team building activities, hike in the park, cook over the campfire, and bond with their fellow ENR Scholars!
- Fall Backpacking Trip – Students have the opportunity to learn backpacking with a 3-4 day trip in a regional wilderness area.
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park – students have the opportunity to travel to Ohio’s only national park to explore its wonders, learn about it history, and engage with how society intersects with outdoor reaction.
- Tours of local environmental facilities - Students have the opportunity to visit places like Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, Chadwhick Arboretum, the Insectary, and the Columbus Zoo.
Community
ENR Scholars builds a welcoming, inclusive, and cohesive community among all participants through outdoor reaction, ecological stewardship, and environmental education.
Leadership Council
The ENR Scholars Leadership Council is composed of approximately 5 first year and 5 second year students who assist in planning of themed events, social events, and service events.
Community Meetings
First and second year students will participate in regular community meetings together.
Mentoring Program
All first and second-year students are organized into families based on interests for events, hang-outs, and activities.
Service
Students will help Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed and the OSU wetlands facility clean-up the river, remove invasive honeysuckle, and plant new trees. Students also have the opportunity to participate in other community service events not related to the environment that can be counted toward their service hours for ENR Scholars.
Residential Requirement
First-year Environment and Natural Resources Scholars students live together in Morrill Tower.
The residential community is an important element of the Scholars experience, and is required for all students with the exception of commuter students. Space in the prescribed residence hall is subject to availability, and while Scholars are given housing priority, space is not guaranteed and students may be placed in other accommodations due to program demand if necessary.
All Scholars
While each of the 16 Scholars Programs builds experiences for students around its unique theme, students benefit from shared Scholars experiences. All Scholars Programs:
- Are open to students of any major.
- Feature a first-year residential community.
- Have a first-year seminar course.
- Are led by an experienced full-time professional Program Manager.
- Are academically-driven communities with a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 to participate.
- Have a student leadership council, offering leadership opportunities, community programming, and service projects.