This year’s recipient of the David C. Mahan Fellowship is Isabelle Prins from The King’s University in Canada. Isabelle is completing her second year at The King’s and is majoring in Biology with a minor in Environmental Studies. This summer, she will take courses in Wildlife Ecology and Fish Ecology and Management at our Great Lakes campus in northern Michigan.

The Mahan Fellowship, started in 2017, celebrates the work and legacy of Dr. David C. Mahan, Au Sable’s Associate Executive Director for over 30 years, from 1985 to 2016. Known for his warmth, humor, and relational skills that made hundreds of friends for the Institute over his more than three decades of service, Dave’s namesake Fellowship is awarded to a student who has shown an ability to accomplish goals in conservation through collaborative, relational effort.

In her application for the Mahan Fellowship, Isabelle wrote, "The relational aspect is a key reason I am studying at Au Sable. It is a space where followers of Christ who are passionate about creation care can learn together and support one another. This support goes far beyond the academics, as 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” I know the body of believers at Au Sable live out this verse by supporting one another in faith, as well as the thirst we all have to learn about the natural world and the enthusiasm we have for creation care.”

Congratulations Isabelle! We trust that you will continue to inspire others to serve, protect, and restore God’s earth in your future relationships and collaborations.