Lindsay Slusser, a nontraditional student majoring in landscape architecture, is one of 65 students nationwide and the first Temple student in nine years to be awarded the Udall Scholarship.

When Lindsay Slusser was asked to visit Temple’s Scholar Development and Fellowships Advising Office, she panicked. 

Barbara Gorka, director of fellowships advising, had reached out to Slusser, a junior landscape architecture major, with a ruse intended to reveal exciting news in person.  

“I was terrified,” Slusser said. “Barbara calmly said there was an issue with my scholarship application and that we would work it out.” 

Sitting with Gorka and Susan E. Cahan, dean of the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, they chatted for a few minutes until Cahan broke the news—Slusser had earned a Udall Scholarship, a highly selective national award.   

“I was shocked because I was ready for the worst thinking there was a problem with my application,” said Slusser.  

The Udall Foundation encourages campuses to notify selected scholars in person—and the surprise made a lasting impact on Slusser.

“It was amazing,” Slusser said. “It’s an honor to be seen for what I believe in. It was such a surreal moment to find out that way.”

Slusser is the first Temple recipient in nine years and the 15th student from the university to receive the prestigious scholarship since 2004. 

The Udall Scholarship is a highly competitive national award for college sophomores and juniors committed to careers in the environment, tribal public policy or healthcare. Unlike traditional merit scholarships focused primarily on GPA, the Udall emphasizes leadership, public service and demonstrated commitment to these fields. 

“Lindsay’s passion for the environment made her a natural fit for this award,” said Cahan. “She’s a voracious learner and a rising environmental leader dedicated to sustainable environments where plants, animals and people can thrive. We are so proud of Lindsay for representing Temple on a national stage as a Udall Scholar.”  

“I am really into conservation and ecological restoration while repairing the damage that’s been done,” said Slusser. “It’s about creating a healthier, more cohesive environment for the future, one that supports not just people, but all life that depends on it.” 

The Udall Scholarship is recognized alongside awards like the Fulbright and Truman scholarships. As an “endorsed award,” students must be nominated by their institution and go through an internal selection process before applying to the Udall Foundation.  

“I first met Lindsay two years ago when we interviewed her as part of our Smith Scholars selection process,” said Gorka. “I immediately knew she would make an excellent Udall candidate. Her path to this award might not have been traditional, but I am delighted that the Udall Foundation recognized her leadership, drive and commitment to the environment. I was impressed how Lindsay juggled the lengthy application process while working long days and nights setting up the Temple exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show.” 

Each year, the foundation awards up to 65 scholarships of $7,500 each out of hundreds of eligible applicants. Scholars also attend a four-day symposium at Udall Foundation headquarters in Tucson, Arizona, in August to network with professionals, policymakers and fellow scholars. 

The scholarship honors the legacies of Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall, whose careers significantly influenced Native American self-governance, healthcare and the stewardship of public lands. 

Nurturing the future 

As a transfer student from Bucks County Community College, Slusser, 44, pursued a goal she had carried for years: finishing her undergraduate degree.  

After high school, Slusser had considered attending Temple to study graphic design at Tyler. She had a young son to support and pursued work in the body art industry as a body piercer. 

The COVID-19 pandemic ultimately inspired Slusser to return to her education. 

“I’ve always loved the outdoors. I live along the Delaware River. I kayak, I hike, and being outside has always been important for me and my son,” she said. “During the pandemic, that really hit me. We needed outdoor spaces, and I wanted to help design and create them. I’ve always loved art, so combining art and the outdoors is how I landed on landscape architecture. It’s great that now I’m at Tyler years after my original goal—pursuing art, but in a different way.”  

For Slusser, landscape architecture is about bridging the past, present and future.  

“I really have an interest in environmental policy as well as historic preservation, and I think a master’s degree in one of those is on the horizon for me,” she said. “It’s really important to me to protect our natural resources and to honor the people and the land that came before us and to make those outdoor spaces even better—not just for humans to enjoy but to support all the ecological systems that are connected to those spaces.”  

Slusser was a member of the award-winning Temple team at the Philadelphia Flower Show and also volunteers at the Ambler Arboretum on Temple’s Ambler Campus, where she serves on the arboretum advisory board and will start a summer internship.

“I’ve worked at the arboretum since last May, and we take care of 187 acres of space, everything from the gardens to tree care to working with volunteers,” she said. “It’s a great way for me to get hands-on experience with landscape architecture.” 

Slusser’s internship at the arboretum will be in public horticulture, the professional practice of managing plants and landscapes for public enjoyment, education, conservation and research, and will enable her to continue her passion of staying connected on Ambler Campus.  

“I’m really excited,” she said. “I really love the plant aspects of landscape architecture and choosing plants not only to look beautiful, but to have a function in the ecosystem. I love being active on the Ambler Campus. I try to be involved as much as possible within the Temple community because it’s part of the whole experience, and I think it’s especially important for nontraditional students to know they are part of the community.”  

In addition to her studies, Slusser is active in her hometown of Bristol in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where she volunteers at a food bank and led an initiative to provide reusable bags to clients and reduce plastic use. 

“Community service was a big part of the Udall application,” she said. “It’s incredibly meaningful to see the small things I do—at Temple and in my community—recognized on that scale.”  

Temple roots 

As Slusser approaches her senior year, the thought of becoming a Temple alum is a source of pride in her family. 

“My dad was Temple Made, so it is an honor to follow in his footsteps,” she said.  

She also has family ties to the Temple Police Department—her brother graduated from the academy in October, and her son recently joined as well.  

“It seems like we’re a Temple family, which is pretty cool.” 

Slusser notes her nontraditional path helped pave the way to where she is now. 

“I’m coming back to school later in life, and I really believe you don’t always know who you are at 18,” she said. “I think through experience and seeing the world and living these experiences out there, it points you to where you’re supposed to be.” 

The Udall Scholarship is administered at Temple through Scholar Development and Fellowships Advising. Rising sophomores and juniors intending careers in the environment are encouraged to connect with the office.