Scholarships and Endowments

Unrestricted Endowments

Lily Marie Carter Endowed Geology Funds—For the unrestricted use of the Department of Geology, College of A&S, at the discretion of the Chair of Geology.

Walter D. Keller Opportunities for Excellence Fund—To enhance the ability of the Department of Geological Sciences to stimulate the greatest possible scholarly growth of students and faculty. The fund shall be used as a recurring means of support for the Department of Geological Sciences to promote professional growth by stimulating opportunities for teaching and research that will elevate individual units and people to higher levels of achievement.

John & Betty Marshall Opportunities for Excellence Fund—The fund shall be used as a recurring means of support for the Department of Geological Sciences. The fund shall be used to promote professional growth by stimulating opportunities for teaching, research, and service that will elevate individual units and people to higher levels of achievement, with the first priority being given to supporting undergraduate students.

Gene & Thelma Schmidt Geological Sciences Endowment Fund—To provide unrestricted support to the Department of Geological Sciences.

Norman E. Smith Opportunities for Excellence Fund—The fund shall provide a recurring means of supporting the Department of Geological Sciences in the College of Arts and Science. It may be used to promote professional growth among faculty and students by stimulating opportunities in teaching, research, and service that will elevate individual units and people to higher levels of achievement. The fund shall be a catalyst that transforms a good program into a great one.

Walter & Katherine Staley Fund—To be used for the unrestricted support of the Department of Geological Sciences.

John M. Ware Memorial Geology Endowment Fund—Shall be used at the discretion of the Chair of the Department of Geology in the College of Arts and Science.

Williamson Family Geology Endowment—That be used at the discretion of the Chair of the Department of Geology in the College of Arts and Science.

Field Camp Scholarships

William Burrows Allen Geology Field Camp Scholarship—One or more annual scholarship awards shall be made to students attending the University of Missouri Geology Field Course at Camp Branson, Wyoming. Recipients must have a declared major in geological sciences and have completed a minimum of eight (8) semester credit hours of geological sciences.

Donald S. Garvin Geology Field Camp Scholarship—To provide one or more scholarship awards to students attending the University of Missouri Geology Field Course at Camp Branson, Wyoming. First preference shall be given to non-resident students to help defray the cost of non-resident tuition; second preference shall be given to Missouri residents.

Clayton H. & Louise K. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund—Shall be used to aid deserving students attending the University of Missouri-Columbia Department of Geology's summer field course at Camp Branson.

George W. Viele Memorial Geology Field Camp Scholarship Fund—One or more annual awards shall be made to students attending the University of Missouri Geology Field Course at Camp Branson, Wyoming. Selected recipients must have a declared major in geological sciences and have completed a minimum of eight (8) semester credit hours of geological sciences.

Graduate Scholarships

John F. & Mary Anne Burst Graduate Fellowship Fund—One or more annual awards shall be made to graduate students in the Department of Geological Sciences for the study of Industrial Minerals. Selected recipients must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2. First preference shall be given to students who are graduates of a high school in the United States.

Hal & Ruth Johnson Fellowship Fund—To provide one or more annual fellowship awards to graduate students in the Department of Geological Sciences. Selected recipients must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate courses, and 3.2 on a 4.0 scale for courses in the geological sciences.

Leonard D. Harris Scholarship—A yearly award(s) shall be made to a graduate student(s) undertaking master’s thesis work, or doctoral dissertation work, in geology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The work must be field-based and must involve U. S. Paleozoic-age sedimentary rocks that crop out east of the Rocky Mountains.

Wallace B. Howe Fellowship Fund—An annual award shall be made to a graduate student in the Department of Geological Sciences who is majoring in stratigraphy and/or paleontology. If the amount available for the award exceed the then prevailing stipend for a TA or RA, the Department may consider the excess for a separate award or reinvest the excess until the corpus generates additional awards of equal or greater value. The selected recipients must have successfully completed at least one year of their graduate work and maintained a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Walter D. Keller Scholarship Fund—One or more annual awards shall be made to full-time geology graduate students at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Maurice G. Mehl Memorial Scholarship in Field Geology—Funds shall be used for providing stipends for field expenses for graduate students in Geology, in the areas of stratigraphy and paleontology, who are of good moral character and in need of financial assistance (as determined by the Department of Geological Sciences).

Raymond E. Peck Graduate Fellowship—One or more annual fellowship awards shall be made to graduate students in the Department of Geological Sciences.

Carl B. Rexroad Geological Sciences Endowment—Awards shall be made in the Department of Geological Sciences, with the preference for awards as follows: A) First preference shall be given for paleontologic study in Missouri and secondly outside of the State (first subpreference graduate students, second undergraduates, and third faculty).B) Third preference shall be given to field study in "soft rock" geology in Missouri and fourthly outside of the State (first subpreference graduate students, second undergraduates, and third faculty). C) Fifth preference shall be to promote professional growth among students, faculty, and staff by stimulating opportunities for teaching, research, and service for the development of the Department.

James H. Stitt Memorial Fellowship—To provide one or more annual fellowship awards to graduate students in the Department of Geological Sciences. First preference shall be given to students conducting thesis research in paleontology. Second preference shall be given to students conducting thesis research in stratigraphy. Third preference shall be given to students conducting thesis research on sedimentary rocks. Selected recipients must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate courses, and 3.2 on a 4.0 scale for courses in the geological sciences.

W.A. Tarr Scholarship—To provide a yearly award for the most needy and worthy student in the Department of Mineralogy and Economics Geology.

Dr. M. Ray Thomasson Graduate Fellowship Fund—To provide one or more annual awards to graduate students in the Department of Geological Sciences. Applicants should have an interest in (1) the integration of geologic and geophysical (seismic, gravity, and magnetics) data, (2) passive or active seismic sources, and (3) at least some interest in how various disciplines can be applied to Petroleum Exploration, Development and/or Research.

Jack & Mildred Schindler Geological Sciences Endowment Fund—“Ninety percent of the annual distribution shall be used to fund the A. G. Unklesbay Graduate Scholarship in the Department of Geological Sciences. Selected recipients must have a minimum grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. Ten percent of the annual distribution shall be used to defray expenses of students participating in the Department of Geological Sciences field trips.”

Undergraduate Scholarships

Mr. & Mrs. Richard G. Boyd Endowment—Funds in the distribution account shall be used for scholarship/fellowship awards to students enrolled at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Fifty percent (50%) shall be used for Geology students in the College of Arts and Science and fifty percent (50%) for students enrolled in the Sinclair School of Nursing.

James G. Mitchell Memorial Fund in Geology—Shall be used to support the James G. Mitchell Memorial Scholarship in Geology which is to be awarded every other year beginning in 1978. Students considered for the James G. Mitchell Memorial Scholarship in Geology shall be in their Junior year with a major in Geology and shall be based upon academic excellence without regard as to financial need.

“Mrs. Pat” (Mabel E. Patterson, Mrs. John F.) Scholarship—One or more annual awards shall be made to full-time students enrolled in the College of Arts and Science Department of Geological Sciences. Recipients must exhibit academic progress which would indicate potential success in the field of Geology and have a demonstrated financial need.

Raymond E. Peck Undergraduate Scholarship—Up to three (3) awards shall be granted annually, each award to be at least $1,000. If income permits, additional awards and/or larger awards may be granted. Criteria for selection shall be undergraduate and/or graduate students whose major is geology. Financial need shall not be a criterion.

Edmond A. & Mary L. Raymond Scholarship—One or more annual scholarship awards to students majoring in the Geological Sciences. The selected students shall exhibit strong academic standards reflective of the spirit in which this fund is established. Recipients are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Pearl Todd Sando Perpetual Undergraduate Scholarship in Geological Sciences—Recipients of this scholarship must be declared majors in geological sciences, or must be an entering freshman who states an intent to major in geological sciences and declares a major at the earliest opportunity. First preference, student, from Dunklin County, MO; second preference, student from Mississippi delta country in S.E. Missouri; third preference students from Missouri; fourth preference, USA at large. Recipients must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (out of 4.0) and maintain continuous progress toward a degree in geology, acceptable to the chairman of the Department of Geological Sciences or lose the scholarship. Amounts to be received by the recipients to be determined by the Chairman of the Department of Geological Sciences. The Chairman of the Department of Geological Sciences will choose the recipients of these scholarships which will continue until graduation provided recipients continue with geology as a major and maintain grade requirements acceptable to the Chairman of the Department of Geological Sciences, and shall be in accord with accepted rules and regulations within the Columbia campus office of Student Financial Aid.

Gene W. Schmidt Undergraduate Scholarship—To provide one or more annual awards to students in the Department of Geological Sciences with preference given to Hydrogeologic studies. The award is available to undergraduate students with first preference given to sophomore level students. There is no minimum grade point average restriction.

Fred Strothmann Perpetual Geology Scholarship Fund—Scholarship awards in equal amounts to both graduate and undergraduate students to a declared major in geology, exclusive of hydrology and geophysics, and must have completed a minimum of eight (8) credit hours of geological courses. Graduate students must have a grade point average of 3.2 to receive this award. Undergraduate recipient must have as a minimum a 3.0 grade point average in geological courses, and a 2.75 overall grade point average, based upon a 4.0 grade point average system. Undergraduate recipient must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA in geological courses and a 2.75 overall GPA in the University of Missouri or lose the scholarship for the following semester, and thereafter.

Both Graduate and Undergraduate Scholarships

Richard P. Frey Memorial Paleontology Fund—Income shall be used in accordance with the terms of Mr. Frey's will. The will states that the gift shall be used "to add to, improve, update and/or catalog its invertebrate fossil collection, and more specifically, to increase its collection's value as a teaching and research collection."

Ernest J. Palmer Memorial Scholarship—Shall be used for establishing scholarships in the fields of paleontology and systematic botany for undergraduate or graduate students in said fields who are in need of financial assistance to complete their studies. It is the desire of the donors that the scholarships be alternated between the two departments, but it is not necessary that they be alternated annually. It is the desire of the donors that during the years an equal number of scholarships shall be awarded to each department. It is also the desire of the donors that recipients shall be encouraged to spend part of their time in cataloging and taking care of the Palmer collections, but this shall not be a requisite to the award of the scholarship. Note: Geology shall make awards in even years and Biological Sciences shall make awards in odd years.

Geology Student Scholarship Fund (GSSF)—To provide annual awards to students in the Department of Geological Sciences. These awards are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. The selection should be made by the Chair of the Department of Geological Sciences, or by a committee of persons authorized to act on behalf of the Chair. The Geology Student Scholarship Fund has been maintained by the generous donations made over the years by alumni and friends of the Department of Geological Sciences, including funds gifted by Dr. Glen Himmelberg and William D. Johns. These scholarship funds are available to both undergraduate and graduate students and may be used for one or more awards each year. Gifts to this fund will help to provide professional development or research opportunities to students in order to recruit and grow our undergraduate and graduate programs.

The following funds are under the umbrella of the GSSF fund. Donations can be made in their name:

Davies Memorial Scholarship—Scholarship award to students in Geological Sciences.
Ethington Geology Student Scholarship
Tom Freeman Geology Student Scholarship—Awards are to be known as the Professor Tom Freeman Geology Student Scholarship Award.
Himmelberg Geology Student Scholarship
Johns Geology Student Scholarship
Knotts Memorial Scholarship
Knox Geology Student Scholarship
Robert C. Miles Geology Student Scholarship
Raymond Outstanding Achievement
Steyaert Geology Student Scholarship—Awards shall be the David J. and Jennie F. Steyaert Geology Student Scholarship Award.
Tlapek Geology Student Scholarship
Viele Geology Student Scholarship—Awards made from this endowment shall be the Dr. George Viele Geology Student Scholarship Award.

Robert W. Quearry Scholarship—One or more annual awards shall be made to undergraduate or graduate students in Geological Sciences. If the Department of Geological Sciences is no longer a part of the University of Missouri curriculum, then this fund shall be used to provide unrestricted support to the College of Arts and Science.

Edwin Bayer Branson Memorial Fund—Research. This fund was established for the charitable and educational purpose of making scholarship grants to such students at the University of Missouri, at Columbia (“Campus”), as are members of the Junior or Senior Class or are enrolled in the Graduate School, and as may be selected by majoring in the field of Geology and have been recommended.

Camp Branson Field Camp Endowments

Camp Branson Endowment—Funds shall be used to support student instruction at the University of Missouri's Geology Field Camp at Camp Branson, Wyoming. The use of the funds may include, but is not limited to, stipends, travel expenses, faculty support, scholarship awards, supplies and equipment, instructional materials, improvement of facilities, etc.

Camp Branson Improvement Fund—Unrestricted Gifts in support of anticipated construction and renovation and field equipment purchases.

Mitchell Family Camp Branson—To provide support for the benefit of instruction at the MU geology field camp at Camp Branson, Wyoming. Should Camp Branson cease to exist, this fund shall be used to provide support to the Department of Geological Sciences for priority needs of the Department as determined by the Chair.

Robert J. Waldram Camp Branson Endowment—Funds shall be used to support student instruction at MU's geology field camp at Camp Branson, Wyoming. The use of the funds may include, but is not limited to, stipend, travel expenses, faculty support, scholarship awards, supplies, instructional materials, etc.

Other Scholarships, Endowments, and Awards

Geology Alumni Endowment—As this endowed fund builds, it will provide unrestricted general program support for the Department of Geological Sciences in the College of Arts and Science. When the fund corpus reaches $1,000,000, the endowment will be renamed the Geology Alumni Endowed Professorship and may be used for research support and equipment, professional development, teaching materials, travel, staff support, etc. The goal of this Professorship shall be to support faculty recruiting by attracting and retaining the finest faculty members and to support and ensure the success of newly hired professors.

Geology Endowment—To provide for salary supplements for three geology faculty awarded named professorships. Approved two named positions (now 3) to date: E.B. Branson Professorship and Raymond E. Peck Professorship in Field Geology (Ethington Professorship).

A. G. Unklesbay Travel Award—Shall be used to enhance the teaching career of a Geological Sciences professor by providing an opportunity, early in his/her teaching career, to travel to sites where geological processes or phenomena are exceptionally well exhibited. First priority is to an Assistant Professor who has successfully passed his/her third-year review. If no Assistant Professor qualifies, the award may be made to an individual with a rank above Assistant Professor or to a Ph.D. candidate who has successfully passed his/her comprehensive examinations and intends to pursue a teaching career at a college or university.

Geology Sciences Development Gifts—Unrestricted use by the Geology Department. Established in 1980. Established in 1980, the Geological Sciences Development Gifts Fund provides unrestricted support for the department and our geological sciences students. Your gift will help ensure our department endures as a place for scholars to grow and thrive.

Geology Faculty Enhancement—To encourage and reward excellence in teaching and/or research in the Department of Geological Sciences in the College of Arts and Science. The award shall be given annually, in whole or in part, to either the highest or second-highest-ranked faculty member (or to both, but not necessarily equally) in accordance with the performance rankings established by the Department of Geological Science Advisory Committee.

Geology Faculty Retention—One or more annual awards shall be given to faculty members in the Department of Geological Sciences. Awards will be used as a tool to recognize and retain high-quality faculty in the Department.

Swartzlow Endowment Fund—Library Needs - To be used at the discretion of the Chair of the Department of Geological Sciences in the College of Arts and Science. Preference for use of this fund shall be given to the library needs of the Department. Purchases shall include, but not be limited to, journals, periodicals, and reference books.