Washington Chapter

of The Wildlife Society

Scholarships

WATWS RICHARD E. FITZNER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Background:

Dick Fitzner was a wildlife biologist, a wildlife educator, a wildlife artist, a hunter, angler, naturalist, and a past President of WATWS. Dick always offered enthusiasm, inspiration, and encouragement to the many wildlife biologists that knew him. Through this memorial scholarship fund, WATWS hopes to help encourage and inspire future wildlife biologists.

Purpose:

To provide financial aid to wildlife oriented biology students who will have junior or senior standing at a college or university in the state of Washington during the fall semester/quarter of the year in which the scholarship is awarded. Applications are due by December 31 each year. The scholarship is awarded during that winter for the following academic year. Preference will be given to students with a demonstrated need for financial aid; a history of experiences, activities, and interests in the field of wildlife biology; college course work applicable to field biology; and grades. College transcripts and two letters of reference from instructors or past employers must accompany the application form.

The fund shall provide up to $2,500 toward the tuition of the selected student(s) for the fall term during the year in which the scholarship is granted. The funds shall be paid to the Registrar at the college or university being attended, and credited toward the student’s tuition for the fall semester/quarter.

Fund administration:

The Scholarship trust fund is administered by a four person Board of Trustees. The Board consists of the Scholarship Committee Chairperson, the Chapter President, the Chapter President-elect, and Lisa Fitzner. Scholarship distribution is determined by the same Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees reserves the right not to award a scholarship or to award more than one scholarship during a year, depending on the Board’s opinion of the applicants’ qualifications and the availability of funds. All Board decisions are final.

Application Information:

All applicants must complete and submit a Scholarship Application Form. Deadline is December 31, 2024.

Please contact our Scholarship Committee Chair, at scholarships@watws.org with any questions.