Kyle Alderman (photo by Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/MSU)

A Montana State University undergraduate has received a Udall Scholarship, putting him one step closer to his goal of developing renewable energy projects for the benefit of his southeast Montana community.

Getting the award "really fulfills a longtime dream," said Kyle Alderman, a junior majoring in electrical engineering.

Alderman was one of 50 awardees selected nationwide from among 437 applicants. The Udall Scholarship provides up to $7,000 to college sophomores and juniors for leadership and public service on issues related to Native American nations or the environment.

"I'm not sure where it's going to lead, specifically, but I hope it can help people from my community," said Alderman, a native of Lame Deer and an enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe.

Alderman said he would like to develop solar power projects on the Northern Cheyenne reservation, which would create jobs and contribute to economic development.

Udall scholars attend a five-day conference in Tucson, Arizona, where they work together on a policy case study and meet with Udall Scholarship alumni and other professionals working on environmental and tribal issues. Alderman said he is looking forward to connecting with people who are knowledgeable about tribal policy to help him toward his goal.

Alderman transferred to MSU's Bozeman campus as a sophomore from MSU Billings, where he enrolled after working construction jobs for more than five years. "I thought I might as well test my bounds and see what I'm capable of," he said.

He has overcome the difficulties that come with pursuing the challenging electrical engineering degree. "I thought I was way out of my league," he said, adding that his high school math classes hadn't prepared him for the rigor of college-level engineering courses. "I almost dropped out first semester here."

That's when he met Amy Stix, director of MSU's Empower program, a student resource that supports the inclusion and success of underrepresented minorities in engineering and science fields. Stix helped him connect with a math tutor, Roger Fischer at MSU's Gallatin College, and with fellow engineering students through Empower's peer mentoring program.

"Part of the joy of working with Kyle is helping him see the talents and skills that he has," Stix said. "He is a super smart and thoughtful person, and he's also very humble."

Stix said she helped Alderman recognize that he was a good candidate for the Udall Scholarship because his interests extend beyond engineering and are driven by a desire to improve his home community.

"It seemed like a perfect fit," Stix said. "What has struck me about Kyle is that he has a really deep understanding of current public policy issues, both on and off tribal lands, and a strong passion for his culture."

Alderman is the second MSU engineering student to receive the Udall Foundation's scholarship, which honors the legacies of the late Arizona congressmen and brothers Morris Udall and Stewart Udall, who also served as U.S. secretary of the interior.

Whatever Alderman does after graduation, he wants it to demonstrate the value of education.

"Growing up, I didn't really see a benefit to education," he said. "I want to help show kids that this education can provide for our families and communities."