2005 FWF Scholarship at the University of Florida,
Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation
Federation scholarship recipients, Kristin Thomas (undergrad) and Jason Hall (grad student). Also pictured: on left, Claire Williams, Academic Services Coordinator for the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; on right, Nat Frazer, Former WEC Department Chair and FWF Board member.
The Florida Wildlife Federation has established wildlife scholarships at the University of Florida. On April 22, 2005, the Federation awarded two $500 scholarships to students in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the annual WEC student-faculty-staff picnic at Lake Wauburg. Jason C. Hall, a wildlife Master's student, who has a diverse background in conservation and a broad foundation in the scientific fields that comprise conservation, natural resource management and wildlife ecology, was the recipient of the first $500 award. Upon completion of his Master's degree, Jason hopes to enter UF's law school in its Environmental and Land Use Planning program. The second scholarship was awarded to Kristin C. Thomas, a senior in our undergraduate program. Kristin plans to gain more practical work experience following graduation through work in an agency or private industry in wildlife or fisheries management or research.
The Scholarship Nomination Committee was composed of WEC Undergraduate Coordinator Dr. Mel Sunquist, Graduate Coordinator Dr. Wiley Kitchens, and Academic Services Coordinator Ms. Claire Williams. The Selection Committee included FWF President Manley Fuller, former WEC Department Chair Dr. Nat Frazer, and now Department Chair Dr. George Tanner. The scholarships are merit-based for students who have an interest in or intend to continue working with Florida wildlife after graduation.
The FWF Scholarship Program was initiated by Tim O'Brien, the Federation's first Eagle Club member, who hopes to motivate other Federation members and WEC alums to donate to the scholarship endowment fund in order to increase the size of the awards given annually. Mr. O'Brien was quite clear that his intent was to provide scholarships for wildlife students specifically at the University of Florida. The establishment of endowed scholarships for future UF wildlife students is very important to both the Florida Wildlife Federation and the Department.
According to Dr. Frazer, "At a level of $100,000 the endowment will qualify for a 50% state match; if we can reach $600,000 it will qualify for a 70% match."
Those interested in contributing to the scholarship endowment should contact Diane Hines at the Florida Wildlife Federation Office: (850) 656-7113, or send their check made out to "FWF Scholarship Endowment Fund" to the Florida Wildlife Federation, [Attn. Diane ], P. O. Box 6870, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6870. Online donations can be can be made through our Donations page. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.
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