San Antonio Conservation Society’s Graduate Scholarship - The Louise Reischling Natural Resources Scholarship

History and Purpose: The San Antonio Conservation Society was formed in 1924 to preserve and encourage preservation of cultural and natural resources that relate to the history of Texas. From the Native Americans that settled along the prolific springs of the Edwards Aquifer, to the Colonial Spanish Mission system that developed along the San Antonio River, the agricultural community and the now 1.6 million people that depend on water resources to fuel the livelihoods, the cultural history of Texas and in particular, central Texas, begins and ends with the regions water resources.

One of the San Antonio Conservation Society’s first efforts was to save the San Antonio River Bend in downtown San Antonio and the Spanish Colonial Missions located along the San Antonio River. The San Antonio Conservation Society recognizes the importance of water and water resources to the history and future of San Antonio and Texas. To this end the San Antonio Conservation Society wishes to fund 2 scholarships in the amount of $2,500 for graduate studies of students pursuing research and a career in Aquatic Resources. This will specifically fund thesis projects that relate to the Edwards Aquifer or its springs.

Award Amounts: 2 scholarships of $2,500 will be awarded competitively by the Director of the Edwards Aquifer Research and Data Center at Texas State University. Award dates will be in February and July.

Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 cumulative and 3.75 on the last 60 hours of course work leading to the most recent bachelor’s degree.

The recipients must be continuously enrolled in a minimum of six semester hours of graduate course work leading to the Aquatic Resources degree each semester of the award. Recipients must also remain in good standing with a minimum semester grade point average of 3.5 each semester to be eligible for future awards.

Students who have taken graduate course work for a master’s degree with a 3.5 GPA and meeting the requirements above will be eligible for scholarship consideration.

The applicant must be unconditionally accepted to a Texas State Master’s or Ph.D. degree program in Aquatic Resources.

The applicant must submit all application materials to the Director of the Edwards Aquifer Research and Data Center (Dr. Longley – gl01@txstate.edu or 512-245-3581. Admission information may be obtained from the Office of the Graduate College located in the J.C. Kellam Administration Building, Room 280 or by calling 512-245-2581.

Selection: Awards will be made to the most qualified applicants, as determined by a selection Committee appointed by the Director of the Edwards Aquifer Research and Data Center. The committee will prioritize its recommendations to the Director of the Research and Data Center who will then contact the San Antonio Conservation Society with a recommendation.

Application Process: To apply for the San Antonio Conservation Society’s Graduate Scholarship the Louise Reischling Natural Resources Scholarship, students must submit to the Edwards Aquifer Research and Data Center all scholarship application materials containing the following information:

. • An information page including applicant’s name, SSN, permanent address and telephone number, anticipated aquifer related study in Aquatic Resources, and anticipated Master’s or Ph.D. graduation date.

. • If a thesis or dissertation topic has been accepted the applicant must include a summary of the topic not to exceed 250 words.

. • A current resume that includes current address, hometown, and college(s) attended, college and community activities, leadership positions held, honors received, and employment experience.

. • A summary of campus and/or community leadership activities over the past twelve months. Please give specific examples and discuss the time involved in each activity.

. • A personal 500-word essay expressing applicant’s career objectives and reasons for selecting applicant’s graduate major.

. • Transcripts from all institutions awarding applicant’s undergraduate degree(s) and that include the most recent course work.

. • Three letters of recommendation. If possible include letters from faculty or staff member from applicant’s undergraduate college or university.

Scholarship Recipient Requirements: Students that receive the San Antonio Conservation Society Graduate Scholarship for the Louise Reischling Natural Resources Scholarship will be required to furnish a copy of the thesis or dissertation to the Society and also make an oral presentation, if requested by the society, during their last semester of work.

Scholarship Uses: The funds from the scholarship can be used to purchase research equipment and supplies, travel for research or professional meetings, or for books or other supplies needed for the students research or course work. Once these needs are met, the funds may be used for tuition or other University fees.