Named scholarships and awards in the College of Science do more than relieve the financial burdens of higher education for our students. Having dedicated financial support at this pivotal point in a student's life affords them the opportunity to focus on the college experiences that turn our students into the world's great scientists and researchers. In addition, being honored with a named scholarship provides our students with a sense of belonging that we hope will remain through their academic careers and into their professional lives.
Named scholarships and student support
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Named scholarships and awards in the College of Science do more than relieve the financial burdens of higher education for our students. Having dedicated financial support at this pivotal point in a student's life affords them the opportunity to focus on the college experiences that turn our students into the world's great scientists and researchers. In addition, being honored with a named scholarship provides our students with a sense of belonging that we hope will remain through their academic careers and into their professional lives.
Ben Sonnenberg, recipient of the Wilson Award
Ben Sonnenberg is an Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology doctoral student in Vladimir Pravosudov's lab studying the behaviors of wild mountain chickadees. He has authored cutting-edge research in the field of behavioral ecology and has published research in high-impact journals. Since receiving the Wilson Award, Sonnenberg also received a Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP) from the National Science Foundation.
"Scholarships like these have allowed for my focus to be on my education and my pursuit of research, lessening the burden from housing and other expenses that so many experience in a growing city like Reno."
Staheli Meyer, recipient of the Sidney Bijou Graduate Scholarship in Early Childhood Autism
Sidney William Bijou (1908 – 2009) was a developmental psychologist who developed a compassionate approach to treating childhood disorders. His named scholarship could not be awarded to a more appropriate recipient. Doctoral student in behavior analysis Staheli Meyer served as associate director of the Early Childhood Autism Program and is completing her dissertation under Professor Linda Hayes, Behavior Analysis program co-founder. Her scholarship has allowed her to focus on her research and education, but to truly change the lives of the countless children she has worked with while pursuing her Ph.D.
Read about Staheli's contributions to the Early Childhood Autism Program
Elizabeth Everest, recipient of the Bosace Undergraduate Scholarship
Paul Bosace (1920-2016) established the Paule A. Bosace Undergraduate Scholarship in 2001 for students involved in fish and game or wildlife conservation. Recipient Elizabeth Everest graduated in 2019 as a Fulbright Scholar and fish biologist ready to work for the Wonders of the Mekong project in Cambodia. She began this work while an undergraduate, spending weeks in remote locations in Cambodia recording interviews with the local fishermen and conducting research with members of the Global Water Center. The Bosace Scholarship was instrumental in her ability to pursue exciting research as an undergraduate.
View Elizabeth Everests takeover of the College of Science Instagram account
Westfall Scholars Award
David Westfall is the founding dean of the College of Science. During his tenure as dean, he created this award (formerly called the Dean’s Senior Scholars) to honor the College of Science’s top graduating students and their selected faculty mentor. The award was later named in his honor upon his retirement in 2007. The Westfall Scholar Award helps student recipients make the successful transition from their undergraduate educations to whatever comes next.
We need your name here.
Our development team is available to discuss all the ways named endowments help us meet our goals and to provide guidance to individuals interested in gifting a name.
Leigh Fitzpatrick
(775) 682-8791 | lfitzpatrick@unr.edu