2011 AWARDS FOR ECOLOGY STUDENTS
The Ecology Department is pleased to announce the availability of over $7,000 in awards this
year to recognize outstanding graduate students. All awards consist of a wall plaque and a
monetary award that can be used to offset tuition and fees. We encourage everyone qualified to
apply for the recognition that these awards confer.
Application Instructions: Please review the criteria for each award and provide a separate
application for each award. Each application should be prepared as a single MS Word file or pdf
that includes the name of the award, your name and banner ID number, resume including current
GPA, and a 1-page essay on why you are deserving of the specific award and how you would use
it to further your education. Please name your application file with a standard convention of
award name, followed by a dash, followed by your last name (For example: Clow-Smith.doc,
Quimby-Smith.pdf, Belsey-Smith.doc). The Don C. Quimby Award has a unique application
process and students interested in being considered for this award must request an application
packet (see below). Also note that the Belsey award criteria includes ‘demonstrated financial
need’ - you MUST have a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Assistance) on file with
the Financial Aid Services office in the SUB at the time you apply for this scholarship as this is
the only mechanism for demonstrating your financial need.
The intent of the faculty is to recognize as many of our outstanding students as possible so we
request that in your application you list all awards you have previously received as this will be
taken into consideration when selecting recipients.
Send applications to Bob Garrott at rgarrott@montana.edu no later than 8 am September 21, 2011.
Awards will be announced at the Ecology Dept BBQ/potluck scheduled for 14 October at the
Lindley Center.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS
Madison-Gallatin Chapter of Trout Unlimited Undergraduate Fisheries Award -
This scholarship was established by the local Trout Unlimited chapter to support undergraduates
enrolled in the Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management Program who have a passion for
trout conservation. The recipient must be a junior or senior and demonstrate financial need. The
2011 award is $1000 applied toward tuition and fees.
GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS
Matthew F. Clow Memorial Award - Matthew Clow was a graduate student who died in
1998 while conducting research on whirling disease and wild trout. The award was established
by his parents in his honor to recognize graduate students who share Matt’s love and
commitment to wild trout and native fishes. The recipient must be a graduate student enrolled in
a M.S. or Ph.D. degree program engaged in, or about to be engaged in whirling disease, wild
trout, or native fish research. The 2011 award is $3500 applied toward tuition and fees.
Jim Belsey Graduate Student Scholarship - Jim Belsey was an avid trout angler and
conservationist. Jim established this award to support graduate students pursuing a degree in the
Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management Program with research emphasizing coldwater
fisheries. The recipient must demonstrate financial need and show evidence of commitment to
trout conservation. The 2011 award is $2500 applied toward tuition and fees.
The Don C. Quimby Graduate Wildlife Research Scholarship - This scholarship was
established to honor Dr. Don C. Quimby, a biology teacher, student advisor and founder of the
Wildlife Program with Montana State University’s Biology Department in 1948. Dr. Quimby
served as the head of that program until his retirement in Spring 1975. In 1955 Wynn G.
Freeman (Game Management Division Chief, Montana Fish and Game Department) and Dr.
Quimby combined efforts to establish the Master of Science degree in Fish and Wildlife
Management as the entry level educational requirement for employment of game/wildlife
biologists by that state agency. Eligibility criteria include: 1) enrolled in MSU’s graduate school,
seeking either a M.S. or Ph.D. in the Ecology Department, or a M.S. or Ph.D. with a Wildlife-
Range Management project in the Animal and Range Sciences Department, 2) field research
project focused on a free-ranging wildlife species within the state of Montana, 3) an ability to
conduct independent research, 4) scholastic seriousness and intellectual honesty, 5) enthusiasm
and willingness to work with fellow professionals and the public, 6) commitment to a career in
wildlife management. The 2011 award is $1000 applied toward tuition and fees and/or research
expenses. If interested in being considered for this award please email Bob Garrott
(rgarrott@montana.edu) for full application materials and instructions.
