The Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society is dedicated to improving the quality of education for fisheries students by promoting the exchange of information and providing opportunities for continued learning. Together we can advance the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems around the world.

Scholarships and Awards

Southern Division:  Robert M. Jenkins Memorial Reservoir Scholarship

This scholarship was created in 1997 to provide financial assistance to graduate students in the southeastern United States (Alabama, Arkansas, Washington D.C., Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Virgin Islands, West Virginia) that are conducting reservoir-related fisheries research. A sub-committee will review applications and present recommendations to the Committee at the annual winter meeting held in conjunction with the SDAFS Spring Meeting.

Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded annually with funding for a second year contingent upon research and academic performance. This award will be made directly to the student and not the student’s educational institution. It can be used for any aspect of the graduate education including, but not limited to, tuition, textbooks, equipment, travel or living expenses. It is not intended to replace any funding obligated to the student. Scholarship recipients will be required to present the results of their study to the Committee or at a conference where the Committee is holding a regular meeting. Travel assistance of up to $500 each will also be provide if travel funds from other sources are unavailable.

Scholarship Application Process:

1. Complete the online application form by December 31, 2012. The online submission will automatically route the applicant’s personal and college career information to the review committee.
2. Provide a copy of your research proposal indicating its relevance to reservoir fisheries science in the southeastern United States. It can be submitted via email or hardcopy to the scholarship committee chair (Neal Jackson, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Western Fisheries District, 30 Scenic Acres Drive, Murray, KY 42071;neal.jackson@ky.gov). The committee chair will distribute copies to the entire review committee.
3. Provide a letter of introduction and recommendation from the applicant’s major professor of faculty advisor. This letter should state how long and in what capacity they have known the applicant. In addition, the letter should address the applicant’s promise as a future fisheries scientist. It can be submitted via email or hardcopy to the scholarship committee chair (Neal Jackson, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Western Fisheries District, 30 Scenic Acres Drive, Murray, KY 42071; neal.jackson@ky.gov). The committee chair will distribute copies to the entire review committee.
4. After the deadline has passed, the review committee will rank the compiled information for the applicants and make selections. If the scholarship winners are attending the SDAFS Spring Meeting they will be presented an official AFS plaque and scholarship check at theBusiness Meeting.
5. Winners of the Robert M. Jenkins Memorial Reservoir Research Scholarship are encouraged by the Reservoir Committee to present their research at future AFS meetings.

Application Deadline: December 31, 2012

Southern Division:  Jimmie Pigg Memorial Outstanding Student Achievement Award

The Warmwater Streams Committee (WWSC) was established in 1976 as a technical committee within the SDAFS in order to address issues related to warmwater streams. The Committee promotes the conservation and management of warmwater streams by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, information, and concerns. The WWSC is also committed to the development of fisheries professionals. In pursuit of this effort the Committee created an Outstanding Student Achievement Award in 1997 to recognize university students showing exceptional progress in their research, education and professional endeavors. In 1999 the award was re-named the Jimmie Pigg Memorial Outstanding Student Achievement Award (JPMOSAA) in honor of Jimmie Pigg, a longtime supporter of student activities and AFS. Learn more about Jimmie Pigg here. The recipient of the JPMOSAA receives a plaque, funds for travel to an AFS meeting, and a one-year membership to AFS. Recipients have historically been recognized at the SDAFS Spring Meeting. Beginning in 2011, students attending other AFS meetings became eligible to receive the JPMOSAA (see details below).

Each year, the WWSC will select one recipient for the JPMOSAA. Both MS and PhD students are eligible to apply but preference is given to MS candidates. Students must be either currently enrolled or have been enrolled during the previous academic year in a university within an SDAFS member state. Selection criteria are based on research, education, professional and civic activities. Research and education activities can be associated with any aspect of warmwater streams ecosystems. An outstanding undergraduate or higher educational record including courses pertaining to fisheries or aquatic biology and warmwater streams ecology and management are highly desirable. Professional activities in fishery-related student organizations, AFS Chapters, and similar organizations are also desirable. Applicable public services can include any voluntary activities but those pertaining to conservation and fishing are most desirable. All nominees must be willing to present their research at any of the following meetings: the SDAFS Spring Meeting, the AFS national meeting, or any state AFS chapter meeting. A committee of WWSC members will serve as the selection committee. All nomination materials must be submitted by 15 December each year. The application can be found HERE.

2012 Recipient: The SDAFS Warmwater Streams Committee is proud to announce their selection of Ms. Laurie Early to receive the Jimmie Pigg Memorial Outstanding Student Achievement Award for 2012. Ms. Early, a student at Auburn University, was selected for her commitment to student excellence in warmwater streams-related research, education, and professional and public service. She was presented with the award at the SDAFS business meeting in Biloxi in January 2012. Congratulations, Laurie!

AFS:   Native Peoples Student Travels Award

The American Fisheries Society (AFS) is currently seeking applications to support outstanding Native undergraduate students to attend the 2012 annual meeting of AFS in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota from August 19-23, 2012. This travel award is designed to encourage increased participation of Native Peoples in AFS and help defray meeting related expenses. Travel grants of $1000 each will be awarded on a competitive basis to assist two students with expenses incurred when attending the annual meeting. Selection of the awardees will be based on academic qualifications and rationale for attending the meeting. More…

Noteworthy

Students at NC State University have put together an outstanding blog. Check it out!

http://www.thefisheriesblog.blogspot.com/

Credits: The photographs on this page are courtesy Brandon Brown, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.