Photos courtesy Charles D. Rafkind Photography

(posted December 2, 2010) — Thank you to everyone who applied for the scholarship!  The deadline for applications was December 1.  The judging panel will begin work immediately, and applicants will be notified as soon as possible (no later than mid-January).

The George Melendez Wright Student Travel Scholarships encourage minority students from diverse ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds to participate in the Society's biennial conferences and enhance their interest in the conservation and preservation of parks, protected areas, and cultural sites throughout the world.  The goal of the scholarship is to encourage greater ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity among the park professions. The GWS seeks to encourage scholarship winners to pursue a profession in fields directly related to parks, protected areas, and cultural sites by giving them the opportunity to participate in a professional conference in all its dimensions, whether by taking part in sessions or networking with peers.

These scholarships are for currently enrolled college/university minority students from ethnic, racial, and cultural groups that historically have been underrepresented in the fields of natural and cultural resources. Students who are currently enrolled either as (1) a full-time junior, senior, or graduate student in a 4-year institution OR (2) a student at any level, full- or part-time, enrolled in a 2-year minority-serving institution (including tribal colleges) are eligible to apply.  The presentation of a paper or poster at the conference is encouraged but not required.

WHAT DOES THE SCHOLARSHIP INCLUDE?  The scholarship consists of a registration fee waiver, a complimentary membership in the George Wright Society for 2011, and, generally, a travel stipend of US$1,000.  The travel stipend may be reduced for recipients whose travel originates in close proximity to the conference city (New Orleans, Louisiana).

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF RECIPIENTS AT THE CONFERENCE?  Scholarship winners will be expected to take part in various activities with fellow recipients at the conference, such as assisting with the Walkin' in the Footsteps of George Silent Auction.  Importantly, each recipient will be assigned a mentor with whom they will meet during the conference in order to maximize their experience.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?  To apply for a George Melendez Wright Student Travel Scholarship, you must be:

1. A member of a minority ethnic, racial, or cultural group whose members have been underrepresented in the fields of natural and cultural resources as they relate to parks, protected areas, and cultural sites.
2. Currently enrolled and actively pursuing a degree.
3. A full-time junior, senior, or graduate student in a 4-year institution of higher education OR (2) a student at any level, full- or part-time, enrolled in a 2-year Minority-serving Institution (including tribal colleges).
4. Willing and able to pay for your travel costs up-front.  Because of accounting regulations, the George Wright Society is unable to prepay any expenses for scholarship recipients.  All scholarships will be disbursed by check in US dollars during the conference.  Any bank charges related to the check are the recipient's responsibility.