We are pleased to announce the 2015 Wild Felid Legacy Scholarship. The Wild Felid Research and Management Association began awarding the Wild Felid Legacy Scholarship in 2009 to encourage and support graduate level university students involved in wild felid research. To date, fourteen scholarships have been awarded, two each year starting 2009 and three each year in 2013 and 2014. The scholarship was created to honor four distinguished and dedicated biologists who lost their lives while seeking to understand and contribute to the conservation of wildlife, including wild felids: Dave Maehr (1956-2008), Ian Ross (1958-2003), Rocky Spencer (1952-2007), and Eric York (1970-2007). The unexpected, tragic loss of one of WFA’s founding members – Deanna Dawn, in November of 2012 led WFA to add a 5th member to this renowned group. More on these five inspiring biologists can be found on the WFA’s web site: www.wildfelid.org Scholarships are made possible through grants and donations to WFA. The Summerlee Foundation has been a major sponsor of the scholarship and has provided the funds to support 8 scholarships. Dee Dawn and other contributions in honor of Deanna Dawn allowed WFA to provide a third scholarship in 2013 and 2014.
PURPOSE OF THE FUND: The Wild Felid Legacy Scholarship provides financial aid to a graduate-level university student conducting research on wild felids. The scholarship is awarded during summer. The recipient receives $1,000 and is recognized in the WFA’s newsletter, the Wild Felid Monitor. Applications are evaluated based on: demonstrated need for financial aid; participation in a research project that aims to improve our understanding of wild felid biology, management and/or conservation; and undergraduate and graduate GPA. Awarding of the scholarship is contingent on available funds; however, the WFA Council hopes that donations and grants will enable WFA to offer the scholarship annually. SCHOLARSHIP FUND ADMINISTRATION: The WFA’s Scholarship Committee administers the Wild Felid Legacy Scholarship and selects recipients, who are subject to approval by a majority of the WFA board of directors. The Scholarship Committee reserves the right not to award a scholarship or to award more than one scholarship during a calendar year, depending on the Committee’s opinion of the applicants’ qualifications and the availability of funds. All Committee decisions are final. APPLICATION CRITERIA: Applicants for the Wild Felid Legacy Scholarship must meet the following criteria: • You must be a student member of the Wild Felid Research and Management Association. (You may submit a membership form with payment to WFA when submitting your scholarship application if you are not currently a member). • By July 1, 2014, you must have completed a Bachelor of Science (or Arts) Degree and be enrolled in a graduate program in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Management, or a related natural resource field. • Recipients of the Wild Felid Legacy Scholarship agree to provide an update of their research in the Wild Felid Monitor. APPLICATION: The application includes 5 parts: 1. Current resume. 2. Transcript indicating completion of a Bachelor’s Degree. 3. Transcript of your graduate studies or a copy of your acceptance letter into a graduate program in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Management, or a related natural resource field. 4. Two letters of reference (with phone numbers and email addresses). One reference shall be from a professor familiar with your academic capabilities and accomplishments. The second reference shall be from a supervisor whom you worked for in a natural resources related position (volunteer or internship work is acceptable). 5. A short essay (500-750 words) describing: (1) your interests in wild felid research; (2) your career goals; (3) how you would use the award to further your professional development; and (4) your demonstration of financial need. At the top of your essay, provide the following so we may include it in the summer issue of the Wild Felid Monitor: Name and email address; degree applying for; department and university attending; major advisor and his email address; thesis/dissertation title; research objectives; completion date. We encourage applicants to send parts 1 and 5 (resume and essay) of their applications electronically. Please clearly name files with your last name and subject (e.g., Smith WFLS Essay.doc). Emailed copies of scanned transcripts are also acceptable for consideration, though the Scholarship Committee may ask for certified transcripts prior to final selection. References can also send their letters electronically. All application materials must be received by the Scholarship Chairperson by MARCH 30 2015. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Completed applications should be mailed or emailed to: Dr. Marcella Kelly, Associate Professor Emailing: [email protected], put “Wild Felid Legacy Scholarship Application” in the subject line Mailing: Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences 146 Cheatham Hall, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321, USA
