The application deadline is Friday, March 22, 2024 at 4 pm.
Materials can be submitted in SLATE at Eastern Kentucky University’s scholarship application website.
Please note that a letter of reference from an EKU professor, an up-to-date resume, a statement of career goals and a financial statement of need is required for the application. These documents can be uploaded directly in the SLATE application.
If the EKU Professor would prefer sending your letter of reference directly to the Chair of the Honors and Awards Committee, they may do so. Please have them send the letter directly to Dr. Autumn Whitson by the deadline. All other materials must be submitted in SLATE.
David Eakin Outstanding Freshman in the Biological Sciences
The awardee will show evidence of high scholastic achievement and potential for advancing toward a career in the biological sciences.
Outstanding Sophomore in the Biological Sciences
The awardee will excel scholastically and demonstrate an interest in scientific organizations or clubs. There should be evidence of initiative and independence in pursuit of a career in the biological sciences.
Outstanding Junior in the Biological Sciences
The awardee will excel scholastically, be an active participant in science-oriented organizations or clubs, and demonstrate mastery of scientific principles and laboratory technique appropriate to an area of further study in the biological sciences.
Outstanding Senior in the Biological Sciences
The awardee will demonstrate the following: consistently excellent scholarship, involvement in scientific organizations or clubs which reinforce career interests, special recognition or awards, leadership and service activities involving other biology students, and a mature attitude toward pursuing a career in the biological sciences.
Outstanding Undergraduate Wildlife Student
This award recognizes a student who has made a noteworthy contribution to the EKU Chapter of The Wildlife Society. The recipient must be a senior majoring in wildlife management, demonstrate commitment to their academic program, display involvement in campus organizations relating to the environment and/or student research activities, have experience working or volunteering for a resource agency, and be an active member of the EKU Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Applications for the award are reviewed by the faculty involved in the EKU Wildlife Management degree program.
Robert S. Larance Memorial Endowed Scholarship
This award recognizes students who have a strong interest and achievement in the areas of botany and/or the field sciences. The recipient must be an undergraduate student in botany, wildlife management or general biology with 60 or more hours who has at least a 2.5 GPA. The award honors Dr. Robert Larance, a former botanist in the Department of Biological Sciences.
Dan R. Varney Memorial Scholarship
This award is based on academic achievement, leadership and service, and potential for professional achievement. The scholarship was established by Dr. Varney’s parents in memory of their son. Dr. Varney, a geneticist in the department, was killed in an auto accident in 1990.
Arthur and Frieda Bingham Prize
This scholarship is awarded to a rising sophomore or junior who, as a major in biology (not enrolled in the pre-med emphasis), has demonstrated outstanding academic performance. The Bingham prize was established by Dr. Eula Bingham, an EKU alumna, in memory of her parents, Arthur and Frieda Bingham.
LaFuze Scholarships in Biology
These scholarships are the most prestigious undergraduate scholarships awarded by the department. Recipients must have attained a distinguished scholastic record and be pursuing a major in one of the programs offered by the Department of Biological Sciences. Awardees, who normally are rising seniors, will show strong evidence of potential for developing a career in the biological sciences. These awards were established by Dr. Harvey LaFuze and his family. Dr. LaFuze was a former Chair of the EKU Department of Biological Sciences.
Division of Natural Areas Award
Paul John Kalisz Conservation Award
The EKU Division of Natural Areas administers this award, which is intended to recognize undergraduate students whose scholarly projects focus on conservation of forest ecosystems, amphibians, reptiles or carnivores. In addition to research, all forms of art and other non-research projects with a focus on conservation, wildlife or preservation of natural resources are eligible. This award is available to rising sophomore, junior and senior undergraduate students of any major with at least a 3.25 GPA. The application is typically due in early April of each year and is in the form of a proposal. Although projects completed anywhere will be considered, preference will be given to those that incorporate use of Maywoods Environmental and Educational Laboratory. Visit the Paul John Kalisz Conservation Award for more information. Preference will also be given to projects that include elements of road ecology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or Remote Sensing or other technologies, such as wildlife camera traps, aerial drones, etc. This award was established by Glen Kalisz, an EKU alumnus, in honor of his father, Dr. Paul Kalisz.