The Block Fellowship Program provides a peer-mentored, co-curricular opportunity for undergraduates who are passionate about plants to engage with the mission of the Sewanee Herbarium.

Block Fellowship Program with the Sewanee Herbarium

Overview

The Block Fellowship Program in the Biology Department provides a peer-mentored, co-curricular opportunity for undergraduates, who are passionate about plants, to engage with the mission of the Sewanee Herbarium. Block Fellows conduct plant research on the Domain, manage the Webb Greenhouse (and its 300+ species of plants), help curate the pressed plant collection, and assist with plant conservation efforts in our region. Block Fellows promote awareness by leading student and community outreach events during the academic year. Biology professor Jon Evans administers the program as director of the Sewanee Herbarium.

The title and privileges associated with the Fellowship carry through that student’s time at Sewanee as long as they remain engaged with plant research and the Herbarium. Herbarium Undergraduate Fellows automatically qualify for consideration for Herbarium Graduate Fellowships after their Senior year. Block Fellows receive a $1500 fellowship award each year.

Qualifications for the Block Fellows include:
  • current or prospective Biology major
  • strong expressed interest in plants and plant-related research
  • commitment to serve as an undergraduate ambassador for the mission of the Sewanee Herbarium
Opportunities associated with the Fellowship:
  • research with potential honors thesis and publication opportunities with current projects
  • funded summer internships
  • 24/7 access to the Herbarium as a place to work
  • leadership of Herbarium hikes and outreach programs
  • funding for plant-related programing for Sewanee students
  • opportunities to promote the work of the lab on Herbarium newsletter, website and other official University news outlets
  • serve as ambassadors for the Herbarium at various Sewanee events including admissions tours and Biology Department events.
  • serve as Student Manager of the Biology Dept Greenhouse and its collection of over 300 species of plants
  • serve as Student Curator of the Herbarium collection of over 10,000 pressed plant specimens and associated computer database
Meet the block Fellows
Background

Background In 2017, Bill and Terry Block established an endowment for the Sewanee Herbarium in honor of their daughter, Ashley Block, C’13. Ashley was tragically killed by an impaired driver in 2016. Ashley graduated summa cum laude with honors in Ecology and Biodiversity. Ashley’s honors research with Dr. Evans focused on the effect of agricultural legacies on forest succession at the King Farm on the Domain. She received the Harry C. Yeatman Award for her achievements in biology and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. While at Sewanee, Ashley participated in numerous extracurricular activities. Her bright and caring personality and strong work ethic touched the Sewanee community. While a PhD student at UGA, Ashley served as a summer graduate fellow in the Sewanee Herbarium and worked with Dr. Evans and other botanists in Tennessee to help launch the Tennessee Plant Conservation Alliance. The Block Undergraduate Fellowship Program in the Sewanee Herbarium honors Ashley's legacy of peer mentorship, research, service and compassion for the botanical world.