Founder of Tar Heel Bikes Wins Udall Scholarship

Posted on April 10, 2013

Akhil A. Jariwala has devoted much of his time at Carolina to environmental efforts.

A junior from Raleigh, he co-founded Tar Heel Bikes, one of the largest bicycle share programs of its kind at an American public university. As a member of the student-led Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee, he brought energy-efficient lighting to campus elevators. He has worked with UNC’s Department of Housing and Residential Education to install eco-friendly shower timers in residence halls. And he has interned with the N.C. Solar Center at N.C. State University and at Sungevity, a California-based solar energy company.

This week he learned that he was one of 50 students selected to be a 2013 Morris K. Udall Scholar. The Udall Scholarship recognizes sophomores and juniors who demonstrate a commitment to careers in the environment, Native American health care or tribal public policy and also have strong academics, leadership potential and a record of public service.

Jariwala was selected from 488 candidates nominated by 230 colleges and universities. The award will cover tuition, books, room and board up to $5,000 for his senior year. Jariwala is the University’s 15th Udall Scholar since the awards began in 1996.

“Akhil is a multitalented student who has excelled in everything he has been engaged with at UNC,” said Greg Gangi ’99 (PhD), associate director for education at UNC’s Institute for the Environment and chair of UNC’s Udall selection committee.

Jariwala is a Morehead-Cain Scholar majoring in business administration and environmental studies. He has been inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s highest honor society for college students.

He is currently studying in Hong Kong through the GLOBE Program, a tri-continental fellowship that allows Kenan-Flagler Business School students to study international business with peers from universities in Copenhagen and Hong Kong.

After graduation, Jariwala plans to work with high-growth companies focusing on electric vehicles. “My passion for electric vehicles is informed by my passion for solving climate change and my awareness of the sustainability that business solutions provide,” he said.

Jariwala attended high school at the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics, where he led his school’s Science Bowl team to their first national championship over a field of 105 teams. He also is an Eagle Scout.

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More online…

• Junior, ‘Energized’ by Research, Wins Goldwater Scholarship
  April 2013 news report
• Junior Studying Environmental Justice Wins Udall Scholarship
  April 2010 news report
• Junior Awarded Udall Scholarship
  April 2009 news report

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