The Dr. John Roe Fund for a Just and Sustainable Future honors the late Penn State mathematics professor Dr. John Roe, who was passionate about sustainability and the outdoors and worked tirelessly to incorporate these values into his teaching.

There are two award tracks benefitted by the Fund. The first, is the John Roe Sustainability Impact Award, which annually recognizes students who cultivate opportunities to advance the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, while demonstrating personal integrity and an unwavering commitment to fostering justice and to strengthening partnerships.

In 2024-25, the award winners were:

• Sylvie Alexander is an undergraduate student in environmental resource management at University Park. Alexander was recognized as president of the Earth House Living Learning Community (LLC) and directed two major projects in collaboration with the Student Farm, including a rooftop garden and food justice initiatives. She also facilitated a sister garden project with an Algerian artist, and was a member of the Dining Advisory Board and leader of the Food Justice project team.
• James Bell is an undergraduate student in biology at Penn State Schuylkill. Bell was recognized for his unwavering commitment to sustainability and community engagement including research projects ranging from soil microbes and sustainable antibiotics to community tree planting and pollinator health. Bell played a vital role in shaping campus sustainability programming and was behind the Beekeeping Club’s revival and the expansion of campus gardening initiatives at Schuylkill.
• Ashley Currey is an undergraduate in corporate innovation and entrepreneurship with minors in economics and sustainability leadership at University Park. Currey was recognized for her work as a sustainability engagement intern revitalizing the Tailgate Ambassadors program and creating the Shaker Reuse program; a leader of the zero-waste team within Net Impact, Smeal’s sustainable business club; and as a contributor to the Local Climate Action Program, creating a greenhouse gas inventory for the Centre Region to inform future climate action plans.
• Eliott Foust is a doctoral student in meteorology and atmospheric science at University Park. Foust was recognized for his commitment to climate equity and urban sustainability, including integration of advanced climate modeling with public health and community engagement. His leadership in a major urban climate study has unified efforts across Johns Hopkins, Morgan State, and community organizations in Baltimore, fusing academic excellence with civic responsibility.
• Jacob Seiler is a doctoral student in architectural engineering at University Park. Seiler was recognized as a longstanding member and chair of the Student Sustainability Advisory Council (SSAC), dedicated to advancing sustainability at Penn State. With a focus on climate action and student advocacy, he led initiatives that brought energy dashboards to campus, championed a climate action resolution, and called for institutional commitments from University leadership. His film collaborations, including “For the Future,” highlighting student-driven change, earned spots at University-wide showcases and regional film festivals.
• Marisela Sotelo Tornero is a graduate student in public policy at University Park. Tornero was recognized as a leading voice in water sustainability and equity, with a deep commitment to improving access to safe water and sanitation in underserved communities across Latin America and the U.S., including award-winning work highlighting the leadership of rural women in water management.

The 2024-25 award winners at the recognition ceremony with Liane Roe, John Roe’s widow, who established the Dr. John Roe Fund for a Just and Sustainable Future, and with Dr. Peter Buck, director for education at Penn State Sustainability. (L-R: Jacob Seiler, Gavin Maxson [winner of the 2025 SSAC Tree Award], Liane Roe, Peter Buck, Marisela Sotelo Tornero, Eliott Foust, Ashley Currey, James Bell and Sylvie Alexander.) Credit: Paloma Munoz. All Rights Reserved