Odera Umeh Wins John J. LaGrosa Award

In a letter from Dr. Peter F. Strom, Professor Emeritus at Rutgers University and Chair of the NJWEA Scholarship Committee, the Association stated that its committee was "very impressed" with Umeh's qualifications, research impact, and professional engagements in the field. 

The LaGrosa Award holds a rarefied place among NJWEA's statewide scholarships: it is reserved specifically for exceptional students enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field. Selection is highly competitive, with recent recipients drawn from the doctoral programs of New Jersey's leading research institutions. The honor was conferred by NJWEA President Francis J. Bonaccorso on May 13, 2026, at Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City, during the Association's 111th Annual Conference.

Founded in 1915, the New Jersey Water Environment Association is the oldest organization of its kind in the United States, comprising engineers, scientists, and other professionals dedicated to preserving and enhancing the state's water environment.