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Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Scholarships and Awards |
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Scholarships and awards available to Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences majors fall into three categories, those selected by the University, College, and Department. The scholarships and awards presented on a University basis represent great diversity with regards to numbers and kinds. Prospective and current students should contact the Financial Aids Office and the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences on campus for information concerning availability and eligibility.
There are a number of scholarships and awards presented to students specifically within the Department. These awards are provided by various individuals and groups and are only for Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences majors. Below are the awards accompanied by brief descriptions. All past Department scholarship recipients can be found in the Department History document located elsewhere in this website.
Students must be aware that departmental scholarships are used by the University when determining Jackrabbit Guarantee obligations. The majority of our scholarships can be used by the University to satisfy the guarantee. The University has had a hard time communicating this concept to students and we want to be certain of your understanding.
Wilbur Allen Scholarships
The late Wilbur Allen, inventor of the compound bow, had a strong conservation ethic and interest in wildlife and fisheries education. Because of this Mrs. Elizabeth Allen established a $350,000 scholarship endowment in his name. The initial endowment investment occurred in 1984. This endowment allows the Department to provide over $20,000/year in scholarships to undergraduate Wildlife and Fisheries majors. Eight to ten Allen Scholarships are provided each Spring and Fall semester.
The primary purposes of the program are to 1) promote and reward excellence of undergraduate majors, and 2) encourage academically strong undergraduate students to consider wildlife and fisheries as a profession. The minimum requirement to be eligible is for a student to have a 3.0 GPA the semester previous to application. The scholarships are provided on a semester-by-semester basis and must be applied for.
Dr. Gerald B. Spawn Memorial Scholarship
Dr. Spawn was the first head of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at SDSU. Dr. Spawn had a strong influence upon the Department and the many students who were in the program during his years at SDSU. In 1964 the Spawn family, former students, and other friends helped establish this scholarship endowment in Dr. Spawn’s name.
The memorial award has been presented annually since that time. The recipient is selected on academic performance and must be a junior Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences major from South Dakota or an adjacent state.
Lake Campbell Wildlife Club Scholarship
The Lake Campbell Wildlife Club, Mound City, S.D., strongly believes that education and educational opportunities are important to sound conservation. Because of these beliefs the club established in 1976 a scholarship award.
Since that time the club has annually presented a scholarship to a Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences major at SDSU. The award, based on academic performance, goes to a junior who is a South Dakota resident. The club prefers that someone from the north central region of the state be selected, if possible.
SDSU Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Club Awards
Each year the members of the SDSU Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Club select recipients for their Outstanding Junior and Senior Awards. Although no monetary incentive is provided, the recognition of a student by being selected for such an award by his or her peers indeed represents an accomplishment. Recipients receive books purchased through a donated fund in memory of Chuck Sowards. Based upon professionalism, dedication, and club activity, these awards are indicative of a strong commitment to wildlife and fisheries resources.
Sioux Falls Izaak Walton League Scholarship
This scholarship has been provided since 1959. It annually goes to a junior from eastern South Dakota. The Chapter has always taken great interest in undergraduate education. This became an endowed scholarship in 2006.
Brookings Wildlife Federation Scholarship
The Brookings Chapter of the National Wildlife Federation has presented this award since 1987. The scholarship goes to an outstanding Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Sophomore. The award is based on academic performance and professional activities. The Brookings Wildlife Federation is interested in a wide array of wildlife related issues.
S. D. Trappers Association, Inc., Scholarship
In 1989 the S.D. Trapper’s Association, Inc. initiated a scholarship program that annually goes to a sophomore Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences undergraduate. The Trapper’s Association consists of a statewide membership who are interested in natural resource management. The award is based on academic performance and can go to any sophomore student in the Department.
McCook Lake Izaak Walton League Scholarships
In 1993, the McCook Lake Izaak Walton League initiated a $100,000 scholarship endowment fund. This endowment provides numerous scholarships annually. The awards are based on scholarship. The McCook Lake Izaak Walton League provided this endowment because of their commitment to natural resource management.
Madison Izaak Walton League Scholarships
This chapter of the League, from Madison, S.D. annually presents two scholarships to Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences students from Lake or adjoining counties. They have presented the award, based on scholarship, since 1989.
S. D. Conservation Officers Association Scholarship
The Conservation Officers Association annually provides a scholarship to a junior or senior undergraduate Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences major. They prefer someone interested in law enforcement. The award was initiated in 1986 and is an endowed scholarship.
Joyce and Mayo Kjellsen Hunting Heritage Award
This award, started in 1998, is awarded to the member of the Wildlife Conservation Club who best exemplifies America’s hunting heritage. The award is a new shotgun.
Alvin and Eloys Bjorklund Memorial Scholarship
Initiated with an endowment in 2000, this scholarship is provided in memory of the Bjorklunds by their two sons. Females interested in Conservation Officer work are preferred.
Streeter Memorial Scholarship
Initiated in 2001, this is an endowed scholarship. It is for South Dakota residents with high academic and leadership potential. This award is in memory of Glen and Mayme Streeter and was instituted in their memory by the Streeter family.
Norgren Water and Wildlife Conservation Scholarships
Initiated in 2004, with a $99,500 endowment, this fund provides numerous scholarships each year to undergraduate Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences majors. Mr. Jerome Norgren was vitally interested in natural resources and this endowment was provided by his estate. Receipt is based on academic excellence.
David Bartling Scholarship
Initiated in 2005, this endowed fund provides a scholarship annually to a sophomore, junior, or senior Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences major. Mr. Bartling instituted this scholarship because of his interest in students and natural resources.
Larry and Jo Kallemeyn Scholarship
Initiated in 2005, this endowed fund provides a scholarship annually to a sophomore or junior Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences major. Larry, an alumnus of the Department, has a strong interest in rewarding natural resource students for academic performance.
Stephen Zebarth Scholarship
Initiated in 2006, this scholarship is in support of a Jackrabbit Guarantee student. Dr. Zebarth received a degree from SDSU in chemistry and is a dentist in Virginia.
Robert and Martha Eng Scholarship
Initiated in 2007, this scholarship is in support of a Jackrabbit Guarantee student. Dr. Eng is a Distinguished Alumni of the Department and long-time faculty member at Montana State University.
Wildlife M.S. Student of the Year Award
This award is supported by the Department. It is provided for academic achievement and demonstrated professionalism.
Great Plains Fishery Workers Association Award
Fisheries M.S. Student of the Year Award
The Great Plains Fishery Workers Association consists of professional fisheries biologists in the central portions of the United States and Canada. Because they feel that education opportunities are important to the sound conservation of fisheries resources, they established this fund in 1985.
On an annual basis, in the Association’s name, the Fisheries M.S. Student of the Year at SDSU is named. The award selection is based on academic performance, professionalism, and attitudes toward the resource.
Lloyd Fredrickson Memorial Wildlife Ph.D. Student of the Year Award
The Lloyd Fredrickson Memorial Award honors Lloyd who was a long-time groundskeeper in the Department. Lloyd passed away in 2002 and the award was funded by his family in the form of an endowment. The award selection is based on academic performance, professionalism, and resource interest.
Central Flyway Technical Committee--Gay Simpson Award
The Committee instituted this award in 1990 to recognize the Wildlife and Fisheries graduate student whose research contributed to our understanding of waterfowl and/or wetlands management. The award is a framed waterfowl print.
Jerome Norgren Memorial Fisheries Ph.D. Student of the Year Award
Funded by the Norgren Estate endowment, this award began in 2004. It goes annually to a fisheries Ph.D. student who has demonstrated leadership, academic achievement, and professionalism.