Rising Star Young Alumni Awards 2008
These awards are presented to young alumni (graduates of the past decade) who have enjoyed considerable early career success and are an inspiration to current students. Nominations come from faculty, staff, and alumni. Selection is made by President Murphy.
2008 Recipients
Danielle Hudson-Durkin, Class of 2005
Danielle graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Science. Soon after, she began working for groSolar; a solar company based out of White River Junction as their Vermont and New Hampshire solar sales representative evaluating homes and business for renewable energies. groSolar is the third largest distributor and integrator of renewable energy systems in North America.
In addition to her professional duties, Danielle is involved in Business Networking International. Since starting with groSolar she has been back on campus to talk with students in energy and computer science classes as well as participating in energy blogs for Johnson State College science students. She volunteers to help elementary students with their renewable energy papers. Danielle even worked with JSC to determine the feasibility of providing solar energy to heat the pool.
Danielle lives in West Lebanon, NH and hopes to go back to school in 2010 to pursue a master's degree in climate change.
Dan Kabler, Class of 2005
Dan graduated with a B.S. in Integrated Environmental Science. His first job since graduation was in the Stormwater Section of the Vermont Agency of Transportation doing GPS survey of stormwater collection and conveyance systems across Chittenden County.
Soon after, Dan began working in Stowe for a private civil engineering company. During this time, he took an Emergency Medical Technician course at Morristown Rescue Squad and became an EMT-B in the Spring 2007. He has since been volunteering as a crew member on the Stowe Rescue Squad, covering both day and night shifts. He also volunteers as a standby EMT at the Jackson Arena for Stowe High School boys' and girls' hockey games throughout the winter.
In Spring 2008, he was accepted into VTC's nursing program and will begin full-time enrollment in August for his second degree. In May 2008, he began picking up shifts at NEMS, a private ambulance company with a station in Johnson. He is currently taking two classes at CCV in Morrisville. He has left the engineering company in preparation for school and is currently working several part-time jobs.