ENRL Graduate Program Announces 2010 Scholarships: Lauren Suerth Wins Col. Jan and Marjorie Laitos Award, Rocio Urbina Wins Marilyn Alkire Award

Lauren Suerth (top photo) and Rocio Urbina (bottom photo), students in the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Graduate Program at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, have been awarded named scholarships.

Lauren Suerth has been chosen as this year’s recipient of the Col. Jan M. and Marjorie G. Laitos Scholarship. Established in 1997, this scholarship supports students of outstanding merit who demonstrate a sincere commitment to the study of natural resources and environmental law.

Ms. Suerth received her BS in Community and Regional Planning from Iowa State University and served as a member of AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps before beginning her masters studies. Ms. Suerth is currently pursuing a Master of Resources Law Studies and works as a research assistant and as a blogger for the College of Law’s Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute TriplePundit Blog. We are extremely proud of Ms. Suerth and are confident she will be greatly successful in a future career in sustainable development and community planning.

Rocio Urbina has been chosen as this year’s recipient of the Marilyn Alkire Scholarship. Established in 1998 by Marilyn Alkire, a 1977 JD graduate, this scholarship is awarded to an LLM candidate who demonstrates the potential for making significant contributions to the field in his or her future career.

Ms. Urbina, who is an international student from Perú, received her LLB from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú and worked as a legal assistant at the Office of the Comptroller General of Perú and as a tax advisor for the Peruvian Internal Revenue Service. Ms. Urbina is currently pursuing her LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy and works as a case manager for a local law firm. Ms. Urbina plans to return to Perú after her LLM studies and hopes to work for the Peruvian Government. We feel truly honored to have her in the program and are certain she will continue to accomplish great things in the natural and environmental law areas.

Lucy Daberków
Assistant Director
Environmental and Natural Resources Law Graduate Program

Hiring News: Kelli Schulte, 2010 Masters in Resource Law Studies Graduate, Begins Work as Program Analyst for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Kelli Schulte, a 2010 Masters in Resource Law Studies Graduate from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, has been hired by the Bureau of Reclamation, which is part of the U.S. Department of Interior.

According to Ms. Schulte:

"As a Program Analyst in the Policy and Administration Office I participate with senior analysts in the preparation of policies, directives and standards, and provide guidance for Reclamation programs. In doing so, I research laws, precedents, and program procedures to develop new policy for Reclamation programs. I also review program-related reports to ensure proper implementation of such programs is occurring at the regional and local level.

"At the present time I am engaged in the development of revised funding criteria for mature Reclamation programs and I am assisting in the development of program criteria and funding announcements for projects that are in their early stages. I work with my team members to develop program budgets and to respond to Congressional and Department (Department of the Interior) level budget inquiries and I suspect I will have the opportunity to engage with many inter-governmental and non-federal entities during my time with Reclamation.

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is a contemporary water management agency, with a history in dam building. Today it has shifted its focus from construction to operation and maintenance. It is the largest wholesaler of water in the nation providing drinking water to more than 31 million Americans and irrigating more than 10 million acres of farmland. Reclamation is also the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the western United States providing more than 40 billion kilowatt hours annually.

Reclamation places a heavy emphasis on fulfilling its water delivery obligations in an efficient and environmentally sound manner. Nevertheless, with today’s increasing water resource challenges, Reclamation must look beyond its obligation to deliver water, in order to meet the competing needs, of an increasing population, with limited water resources. It does this through a variety of programs that address various needs and concerns throughout the west.

Don C. Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law (ENRL) program, said, "We are delighted with the news that Ms. Schulte has begun working for the Bureau of Reclamation. While studying at DU, Kelli established herself as an individual committed to the proper oversight of the country's resources. She will now carry out this commitment in her new role with the Bureau."

Lucy Daberkow, Assistant Director of the ENRL Graduate Program from which Ms. Schulte earned her degree, said, "From the day Kelli began our program in August 2009 through May 2010 when she graduated, Kelli was an enthusiastic and engaged student who learned from everyone she met and every course she took. We wish her great success in her new position."

Nigerian Attorney and DU LLM Graduate Tonye Oki Passes Colorado Bar Examination; Prepares to Join the Colorado Bar

Tonye Tony Oki, a Nigerian Barrister, Solicitor, and Advocate, and a 2006 University of Denver Sturm College of Law LLM graduate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy, passed the July 2010 Colorado Bar Examination.

Mr. Oki, who is a chartered arbitrator as well as an Adjunct Professor of Law who co-teaches (along with Denver attorney James King) Negotiating Natural Resource Agreements at DU, has worked on Africa-China affairs for Divine Oil and Gas of Denver. He has also practiced law in Nigeria.

Lucy Daberkow, Assistant Director for the Environmental and Natural Resources Law (ENRL) graduate program, said, "Tonye Oki has been a wonderful member of our graduate program community since the day he began studying here in August 2005. Since his graduation, Tonye has been tireless in his efforts to help other graduates and in his support of our program. This is a wonderful achievement for Tonye."

Don C. Smith, Director of the ENRL, said, "Adjunct Professor Oki and I first met in the spring of 2006 when he was a student in a course I taught called 'Comparative Environmental Law.' From the day we met, I knew Tonye was going to make major contributions in this field. Two years ago I approached him about co-teaching Negotiating Natural Resource Agreements, and he has done an excellent job in that regard too. Our program has no greater supporter than Adjunct Professor Oki and he has no greater fans than Ms. Daberkow, the faculty he studied under, and me. We are thrilled at his professional achievement."

Mr. Oki is a member of numerous professional bodies including the International Mining Professionals Society USA, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK. and the Nigerian Bar Association.

Editor's Note: In the picture above, Don Smith is on the left, Lucy Daberkow is in the middle, and Tonye Oki is on the right.