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Victor Bowler came to �鶹������ý Lafayette to earn a degree — but he’ll be graduating with two.

He came to �鶹������ý Lafayette because the University offered a strong environmental science program with a “cozy campus feeling.”

“I loved the campus atmosphere,” he said. “Walking to class on the sidewalk on St. Mary Boulevard under the vibrantly green live oak canopy is a memory I will have forever.”

Choosing environmental science gave Victor the opportunity to pursue multiple areas of specialization in a field he is passionate about.

“Clean air, drinkable water, and beautiful places to enjoy the outdoors are just a few of the necessities Americans take for granted every day. Many around the world suffer from polluted air or water and can do nothing about it,” he said. “Pursuing a degree in environmental science at �鶹������ý Lafayette has allowed me to play a part in protecting both the natural world and the people living in it.”

Choosing a second major

After learning more about the different ways humans can work to protect the environment, Victor decided he wanted to play a larger role in finding solutions for environmental issues — so he chose a second major: chemical engineering.

With his two majors, he’s working towards a dual degree.

“The environmental science major has given me a lot of good insight into the theoretical and the bigger issues of environmental science and how to find the problems and what needs to be done,” he explained. “But the chemical engineering side gives me hands-on experience with things like how to cut out pollutants in the air and water. It’s made me a more well-balanced individual.”

"It’s made me a more well-balanced individual.”

Thanks to his dual-degree track, Victor’s had the opportunity to take classes that bridge the two areas, including Environmental Remediation (ENVS 349) and Safety, Ethics, and Environmental Policy (CHEE 307).

He does have to take more courses to complete the two degrees, so he’ll take about two extra years to graduate — an investment that’s “definitely worth it,” he said.

After he graduates, Victor wants to work in a desalinization plant that provides clean water, or become a process engineer for environmental health and safety and potentially work for the Environmental Protection Agency.

He feels well prepared for life after graduation, thanks to the support and opportunities he found through his campus connections, including internships, opportunities through student organizations, and mentorship from his professors.

“Make an effort to talk with your professors and become friends with them! I have had many academic, community, and career opportunities unexpectedly open up due to my awesome professors,” he said. “They knew I cared about them and what they had to teach. In turn, they cared about me and helped me grow in all aspects of life.”