Ecology Memorial Scholarship

Kylie Mills

Kylie Mills

 This award is given to a full-time junior or senior majoring in biological sciences in memory of John C. Wright, C.J.D. Brown, and T.B. Holker who all contributed greatly to ecology and conservation.   John C. Wright was a MSU professor of Botany & Bacteriology and served as the director for the Center for Environmental Studies. C.J.D. Brown was a MSU professor of Zoology and Entomology and wrote the book “Fishes of Montana.”   T.B. Holker was a MSU student in the Fish & Wildlife Program and had a lifelong love of Montana’s wildlife.  He was killed during a flying mission in the Pacific in 1954 while serving as a captain in the US Air Force.

Awarded to Kylie Mills

Kylie Mills is a sophomore from Woodland, California.   She is interested in working towards mitigating negative interactions between cinnamon black bears and recreationists in Montana and in the Greater Yellowstone Area.  She will be conducting research for the next two years under the direction of Dr.    Justine Becker.  Kylie’s goal is to become a terrestrial biologist or research ecologist for the National Park Service.

 

 

Montana Trout Unlimited Fisheries Scholarship

Ian Swavely

Ian Swavely                   

This scholarship was established by the state of Montana chapter of Trout Unlimited to support undergraduates who seek an education and career in fishery science, especially in the area of coldwater fisheries.

Awarded to Ian Swavely

Ian Swavely is a sophomore from Los Alamos, New Mexico, and is seeking a B.S. in  Fish and Wildlife Management here at MSU.   Ian is particularly interested in the management of recreational coldwater fisheries like those found here in Montana.

 

 

Sara Amasa Madsen Conservation Biology Scholarship

Madeleine Cooley

Madeleine Cooley

Mary and Jerry Madsen established this fund in loving memory of their daughter, Sara Amasa Madsen, who graduated from the university in 2019 with a degree in Biology in the option of Conservation Biology and Ecology.  Sara was extraordinary, kind, and independent.  Mary and Jerry created this scholarship to support students that have Sara's heart and enthusiasm for the wilderness, particularly wildland firefighting and water resources.

Awarded to Madeleine Cooley

Madeleine Cooley is a sophomore from Littleton, Colorado, interested in  alpine ecology and in the tangible application of conservation-focused research.  Madeleine hopes to continue her education for a master’s degree in ecology  (or related field) and work in a hands-on application of research.

 

Ron and Jane Rada Aquatic Ecology Award

James Brown

James Brown

Philanthropists Ron and Jane Rada believe that undergraduate students benefit greatly from engaging in the high-impact process of experiential learning, in this case faculty-mentored undergraduate research in the Department of Ecology. This award is given to a student studying aquatic ecology and their faculty mentor to fund research expenses.

Awarded to James Brown & his mentor Wyatt Cross

James Brown, a senior from Ligonier, Pennsylvania who is studying Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management, and his mentor, Dr. Wyatt Cross, were selected as this year’s recipients for the Ron & Jana Rada Scholarship in Aquatic Ecology. James is specifically
interested in aquatic insect ecology and intends to further his education, and research the important role that macroinvertebrates play in aquatic ecosystems.


James’ mentor and co-recipient, Dr. Wyatt Cross, explains that James will conduct a pilot project using drone imagery to track the distribution of water and productive habitat across the Gallatin River channel during snowmelt recessions at two sites with contrasting channel shapes. James will document wetted habitat characteristics—sediment, temperature, and inundation extent—and pair those data with fish gut content analysis to identify which invertebrates are more important for influencing trout growth across the riverscape

Yarnall Family Scholarship

Cody Hoover

Cody Hoover

John and Kristi Yarnall are former MSU students who remain passionate about wildlife and conservation biology.  They have established this award to help support a junior or senior in good academic standing who is studying fish and wildlife or conservation biology.

Awarded to Cody Hoover

Cody Hoover  is currently a junior studying Fish and Wildlife Management.  He grew up in Whitefish and has always been drawn to the aquatic side of ecology —especially marine systems.  After graduating from MSU, he hopes to pursue grad school and eventually have a career in marine or freshwater ecology where he can work to preserve these  systems.