Scholarships
The Life Membership Fund Scholarship will be awarded to students in a field related to the Wild Sheep Foundation's endeavors. Specifically degrees in wildlife management, wildlife biology, and wildlife pathology. An area of focus on wild sheep is preferred but not necessary. This year a scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate and another to a graduate student. The recipients will each be awarded a $5,000 scholarship for schooling.
Travel to the Wild Sheep Foundation’s national convention, the Sheep Show in Reno, Nevada (travel expenses covered) to assist with running the Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience (YWCE). This three-day event includes students being bused in to learn about careers in the outdoors, wildlife conservation, and hands-on learning experiences. The individual would most likely also be one of the keynote speakers during the event.
During the same Sheep Show, the individual would also be involved with helping run other aspects of the Sheep Show. Additionally, the applicant must be a member of Wild Sheep Foundation (can occur after scholarship is offered).
DOWNLOAD SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
This year’s scholarship application is due by 6:00 PM (PST) • March 1, 2025, by submitting to rbrock@wildsheepfoundation.org.
WSF LIFE MEMBERSHIP FUND SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS 2024
GRADUATE
CATHERINE CUMMINGS $5000
This year’s top graduate scholarship went to Catherine Cummings, from Auburn, Alabama. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in wildlife sciences from Auburn University’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment. Her dissertation research focuses on understanding the human dimensions of chronic wasting disease across the United States. This research aims to identify factors that influence hunters’ received risks, concerns, and comforts associated with new detections of chronic wasting disease. Additionally, she has ongoing research that seeks to determine whether state wildlife prevention, surveillance, and management policies are effective at reducing the prevalence rate of chronic wasting disease in wild cervid populations.
DYLAN STEWART $2500
UNDERGRADUATE
MEGAN MELLOR $5000
This year’s top undergraduate went to Megan Mellor, who is attending the University of Nevada, Reno. Megan is the first recipient of this scholarship who previously attended the Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience while in 5th grade. She is pursuing my Bachelor of Science in biotechnology with a minor in wildlife ecology and conservation. Megan believes education in biotechnology and ecology gives her the unique opportunity and experience to understand ecology from a molecular level and how biotechnologies can be leveraged in the interest of conservation.
KEVIN BEACH $2500
Read the full news release here.
OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED IN 2024
In addition to the Life Membership Fund Scholarship, the following scholarships were award through our Chapters & Affiliates.Given by Oregon/Washington WSF “Jodie Sides Memorial Conservation Scholarship” $8,000
The Washington Wild Sheep Foundation is proud to offer the Jodie Sides Memorial Conservation Scholarship to a deserving young conservationist who cares about Wild Sheep. Jodie was a long- time life member whose life was cut short due to epilepsy. Jodie and her parents, Amy & Larry Sides, have been great supporters of Wild Sheep conservation in Washington and Oregon.What better way to honor Jodie’s commitment to Wild Sheep conservation than initiating a college scholarship in her name.
GRADUATE
$1500Recipient: Hanna Grock
University of Nevada, Reno
Master of Science in wildlife ecology
$1500
Recipient: Landon Birch
Univsersity of British Columbia – Okanagan
Master of Science in Biology (has had studies on wild sheep)
$1000
Recipient: Ryan Martin
University of Idaho
PhD in natural resources (study: foraging ecology and diet variability of bighorn)
Undergraduate
$1500Recipient: Ben Genter
University of Florida
Dual degree: wildlife ecology and conservation / statistics
$1500
Recipient: Ty Hults
University of Wyoming
Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management
$1000
Recipient: Nathan Krieger
CSU Chico / CSU Fresno State (undecided between the two at time of application)
Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science and Sustainability
