Lance Varnell is no stranger to taking on a challenge. His dedicated work ethic has been evident from the moment he arrived at O’Neill in 2022, a transfer student who first completed his associate’s degree at Ivy Tech. It wasn’t long after arriving that another opportunity within O’Neill caught the Sustainability Practice and Policy major’s attention: the Accelerated Master’s Program.

Varnell opted to add a degree to his time with O’Neill and pursue his MPA. While the decision to join the Accelerated Master’s Program tacked on additional time and courses to his O’Neill degree path, Varnell wasn’t deterred.

“My advisor informed me about the accelerated option early in our conversations about my path,” he recalls. “This option seemed like a good fit for me. I talked to several people about the merit of having a graduate degree and what types of advantages it would provide after school. Based on that overall message, I decided to include the accelerated program as part of my academic route.”

Varnell’s commitment to his education and his academic work didn’t go unnoticed. The university recently selected him as one of its Top 100 undergraduates of 2024. Each year, IUPUI selects 100 outstanding undergrads who demonstrate academic excellence, campus leadership, and community engagement.

That high standard is why Varnell says it was so gratifying to learn he had received such an honor.

“There is a great amount of time spent working alone on the tasks that make up any given course,” he says. “This recognition reminds me that I am a part of something bigger than myself. This is not about my success alone. Representing the blindness community is more important than any personal accolade.”

Why did you choose to attend O’Neill?

“My choice to attend the O’Neill School was the result of research and the fact that the school’s ideals and programs aligned with my own. Sustainability is a word used by many these days, but there seems to be a need to understand its meaning in a more practical manner. The O’Neill School is the best place in Indianapolis to pursue this knowledge. Moving back to my home after being in Texas for 25 years put me in the fortunate position that allowed me to stretch my legs within O’Neill.”

What has your experience at O’Neill been like thus far?

“My work in the O’Neill School has included a varied combination of learning, communication, and fellowship. The class sizes have been kept at fewer than 30 students which has provided an easy route to the formation of organic partnerships, and sometimes, friendships. The curriculum has not always been what was expected, which allowed me to operate outside my comfort zone. Within the faculty, are many professors with a vast amount of work experience in the areas of greatest interest to me. The advising staff has been outstanding, showing a level of professionalism that has been greatly appreciated.”

What sort of unique experiences have you been part of through O’Neill?

“It was rewarding to work with Indiana University’s Assistant Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Jessica Davis as a faculty member and writing a grant that outlined a plan for the installation of charging stations for electric bikes. That grant proposal was submitted and—while it was not funded—the experience gave me the feeling that I was involved in something that really resembled a practical solution. Hearing guest speakers and panel discussions in various courses have been other aspects of my involvement that have proven to be very informative. Sheila Kennedy, a prolific writer and activist, and Robert Lugar, son of Senator Richard Lugar, were both speakers for whom I have a great amount of respect.”

What are your plans after graduation?

“After graduating, my path will include supporting land conservation nonprofits such as the Nature Conservancy and the Central Indiana Land Trust. It is easy to forget the need to preserve places for all living things when we exist in the city, day in and day out. Moving our actions toward sustainability can include all that we do, every hour of every day. It is difficult to share a passion that includes simplicity and service with a society that moves with great speed. It is my plan to do these things and I will not wait until I graduate.”