Clarkson University Senior Ella Weldy Receives Frederica Clarkson Award
Ella Weldy of Valatie, NY received the Frederica Clarkson Award during Clarkson University’s spring 2025 commencement ceremony on May 10. She was selected for the award by a vote of the full University faculty based on her scholarship and promise of outstanding achievement.
The award was established in 1921 as a bequest in the will of Frederica Clarkson, sister of Thomas S. Clarkson, for whom the University is named. This award and the Levinus Clarkson Award are traditionally given to the two top students in the graduating class.
Weldy will be staying at Clarkson to pursue her master's degree in Environmental Engineering under the guidance of Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering Stefan Grimberg.
The goal of Weldy’s research is to understand how a compound in red seaweed, called bromoform, impacts methane-producing microbes, called methanogens, in the manure of dairy cows. Manure is known to produce about 10 percent of methane emissions in the United States, and bromoform is known to inhibit methane production in cows' rumens and in their manure.
During this time, Weldy will be living at Birdsfoot, an intentional living community in Canton, to learn both how to better live in community and live a more sustainable and self-sufficient life.
Weldy, a member of the Honors Program, is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering, with minors in Environmental policy, Environmental Science, and Business. Her cumulative grade point average is 3.879 and she is a member of the Phalanx Leadership Society.
Outside of the classroom, Weldy has dedicated her time to high impact service and research activities.
Weldy has been an intern with Clarkson’s Institute for a Sustainable Environment (ISE) all four years at Clarkson, and also served as president of the Sustainability Club. In her role with the ISE, Weldy’s efforts contributed to a campus meadow restoration project, reporting information for Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Stars and Tree Campus Higher Education, and managing a student community supported agriculture (CSA) program.
She has worked closely both with student volunteers and the facilities ground crew at Clarkson to plant trees, fight invasive species like spongy moths and buckthorn, and promote the value of these natural areas.
Weldy’s research involvement includes designing biomethane based experiments and research on microalgae growth. Weldy has also demonstrated an ability to effectively present her research, winning a first-place award for her research presentation at the University Forum of the Annual NYWEA Conference.
In her time at Clarkson, Weldy has received the ISE Outsanding Service Award, the Clarkson Commendable Leadership Award, the Clarkson Commendable Service Award, and the Kristen Brandy Craig Award.
