USD Honors Students Recognized by Udall Foundation
As a Udall Scholar, Larsen will receive $7,000 toward his education and has the opportunity to attend the annual Udall Scholar Orientation to meet other scholars and alumni, learn more about the Udall legacy of public service and interact with community leaders in environmental fields, Tribal health care and governance. Additionally, as a recipient of the scholarship, Larsen is a part of the Udall Alumni Network, an association of change-makers, working in Indian country and environmental fields, sharing innovative ideas, professional advice, and job and internship opportunities.
“I’m immensely grateful for the community I’ve joined in becoming a Udall Scholar,” Larsen said. “As the network of Udall alumni grows every year, I’m thankful to be connected to so many people who have similar goals and passions. As I continue my journey, I’m thankful I have this amazing network of friends all across the country to reach out to. I hope that one day I can begin to pay back the Udall foundation for their work in supporting us as young scholars pursuing our dream careers."
Larsen, a rising senior majoring in psychology and public health, received his Udall scholarship in the Tribal Public Health category. Larsen is Bdewakantunwan Dakota from Cansayapi, known federally as the Lower Sioux Indian Community, and he is dedicated to helping his community heal from historical and intergenerational trauma. After completing his undergraduate degree, Larsen plans to pursue a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies in the disciplines of psychology, public health and public administration. In the future, he would like to create a historical trauma healing department at Cansayapi, which would conduct research, collaborate with other departments and tribal council and work to help heal communities.
On campus, Larsen is a student advisor for Spectrum and a member in Tiospaye Student Council, the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), Nations, Wawokiya Peer Mentoring and the USD Drum group. He is also a counselor for the Oscar Howe Summer Art Institute. At his home in Cansayapi, Larsen is the vice president for the Saving and Protecting our Youth Coalition (SPY), a coalition with the vision of promoting a healthy and happy life through Dakota traditions.
“Being awarded the Udall scholarship is an incredible honor,” Larsen said. “I’m deeply humbled by being awarded the Udall not just one year, but two. The honor of being awarded the Udall comes most in showing other Native and LGBT+ youth that they can do these things, too.”
Udall Honorable Mentions
USD Honors students Savannah Lukkes and Caleb Swanson both received an Honorable Mention from the Udall Foundation. Like Larsen, Lukkes and Swanson will become part of the Udall Alumni Network.
Lukkes, a Rapid City, South Dakota, native, is a rising senior majoring in medical biology and minoring in Spanish. She is passionate about being a strong advocate for marginalized communities, such as minorities, those with vulnerable mental health and those who struggle with addiction. As a medical biology major with plans to go to medical school upon graduation, Lukkes is particularly concerned with how vulnerable these populations are in the medical setting and the health disparities they face. She plans to continue her dedication for these populations into her future career as a physician.
On campus, Lukkes serves as president of the Cultural Wellness Coalition, as well as the president of the First-Generation Students Organization. She has a passion for mentoring and has served as a mentor for the Honors Program and the Wawokiya Peer Mentoring Program. She also serves as the national liaison for the SACNAS. Lukkes has also had internships with the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research in Addiction (SPURA) and the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA).
“I am beyond grateful to be a Udall Honorable Mention,” Lukkes said. “This entire experience was new to me, but I had great support from Melissa [Berninger, director of USD Honors Program], as well as those who wrote my letters of recommendation. It was a great learning experience, and I am happy to be a part of this amazing network of other honorable mentions and scholars.”
Swanson, a Mitchell, South Dakota, native, is a rising junior double majoring in sustainability and political science. Swanson is passionate about sustainability, law and politics, particularly about biodiversity protections and how agriculture can be made more sustainable. After he graduates, Swanson plans to attend law school and get his J.D. in environmental law, with the hope of working as an environmental attorney for the Environmental Protection Association, focusing on litigation regarding agriculture or biodiversity protection.
On campus, Swanson is active in USD’s Student Government Association (SGA), serving as senator and Internal Review Committee chair. He is also on SGA’s sustainability committee and the President’s Joint Committee on Sustainability. Swanson is the current president of USD’s Environmental Club, and he is on the executive team for USD’s Pre-Law Society and UNA-USA student organizations. He was a virtual intern for Bard College’s Solve Climate by 2030 social media campaign and helped coordinate USD’s most recent Solve Climate by 2030 seminars. Swanson also held an internship with the City of Mitchell last summer, where he focused on Lake Mitchell’s water quality issues, and he was awarded USD’s Undergraduate Research Award. This summer, he will be interning in Washington, D.C., through the Fund for American Studies program.
“I am honored and humbled to have been selected as an honorable mention for the Udall Scholarship,” Swanson said. “It encourages me to continue working to make USD and my communities more sustainable and better places for all, and I look forward to applying again next year.”
The Udall Scholarship honors the legacies of Morris Udall and Stewart Udall, whose careers had a significant impact on Native American self-governance, health care and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources throughout the United States.
The Udall Foundation awards scholarship to college sophomores and juniors who demonstrate commitment to a career in tribal policy, Native health care or the environment. Interested students should contact Melissa Berninger, Udall campus representative, at Melissa.Berninger@usd.edu.
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