2019 Cherry Braswell Rutland Memorial Award Recipient

Award Recipient: Alianna Pearson

Alianna Cezanne Pearson is a Clemson sophomore majoring in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology with a minor in Spanish Studies. Ms. Pearson grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she was active in her church’s youth department. Her three life-long passions are biology, global language study, and gymnastics & cheerleading. Ms. Pearson’s commitment to ethics was apparent in her scholarship application, where she explained that her life passions merge in a vocational call to provide advocacy and local education to conserve and preserve the Amazon
Rain Forest. Ms. Pearson is interested in the ethical dilemma created by protecting endangered habitat while also considering the financial needs of those whose livelihoods depend on the lumber industry. With her fluidity in Spanish and her understanding of sustainable planting and cutting methods, Ms. Pearson seeks to educate and find creative ways to meet the needs of all stakeholders. She has wrestled already with the hard realities that leaders often face when the perfect solution is not palatable or possible, but creative, intermediate steps can be taken that improve the current situation and progress toward the goal. Ms. Pearson’s ability to think through an ethical dilemma and make an informed decision as well as her passion for the environment, have distinguished her as this year’s recipient of the Cherry Braswell Rutland Memorial Scholarship.