Engineering student wins Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw Scholarship in Sustainability

John Sadorra, an undergraduate majoring in mechanical engineering, has been awarded the 2020-2021 Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw Scholarship in Sustainability. This award, worth $1400, is given annually to a full-time undergraduate student with demonstrated leadership and scholarly interest in sustainability. The scholarship is awarded through the UH Mānoa Institute for Sustainability and Resilience (ISR), and is open to students of any major and residency with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Sadorra’s application stood out for its “compelling statements around the importance of engineering in solving environmental crises, including climate change,” said ISR Director Makena Coffman. “I haven’t had the chance to work on anything that helps tackle climate change on a large scale, but when I get my degree in mechanical engineering, I hope I can work for a company that focuses on this,” said Sadorra. “As we know, Hawaii has an ambitious mandate to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2045. This is great as this change in energy production will be so beneficial in reducing GHG emissions! I wish to work for a company that supports this and to
have work that matters.”

Of his win, Sadorra said, “When I first saw the email about the scholarship, I was so shocked. I’m so thankful for the opportunity. A big mahalo to Makena Coffman and everyone part of the Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw Scholarship in Sustainability.”