Fairie A. Decker Memorial Biology Scholarships are
awarded for support and encouragement of CSUB Biology Majors interested
in preparing for careers related to "care, treatment, and
preservation of animals and wildlife." Successful students
in this area might seek employment in zoos, government agencies,
wildlife agencies, such as the Department of Fish and Game, veterinary
hospitals, consulting firms, or planning agencies. Applicants
might also aspire to continue their education in veterinary medicine,
graduate school, or other post-graduate programs.
TERMS OF THE AWARD
Two renewable scholarships of $1000
each may be awarded annually, and paid quarterly, to biology majors
whose interests match those stated above and meet the criteria
listed below. Support will be discontinued if a recipient fails
to enroll for the next quarter, but a recipient could re-apply
the following year.
Recipients must meet regularly with an Advisor
in the Department of Biology to document progress toward goals
and compliance with the intent of the Scholarship. Support may
be continued for a second year, provided the recipient maintains
a GPA in biology courses greater than 2.5, based on completion
of at least three biology courses during the Year. Renewal will
require re-application, including documentation from the faculty
advisor of progress, compliance, and continuing need.
CRITERIA FOR AWARDS
Applicants must have: interest,
demonstrated by background (e.g., previous coursework), experience
in "animal care" programs or employment, and recommendations.
This is the primary criterion. ability, demonstrated by performance
(GPA, test scores) in previous educational endeavors. A GPA of
2.5 is the minimum acceptable level. need, as evidenced by the
present level of support from parents or other guardians and the
number of hours they are presently employed in order to pursue
their education (but not other endeavors). If the applicant works,
he/she must demonstrate that this award would allow them to reduce
work hours and increase hours spent pursuing educational goals.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applicants must submit to the Chair
of the Department of Biology: a completed CSUB Academic Scholarship
application form, a resume of their experience related to "care,
treatment, and preservation of animals and wildlife," a statement
of their interest in a career in the area, a plan of coursework,
developed with their advisor, that will prepare them for their
goal, a statement of how the scholarship will allow them to reduce
or eliminate need for employment, the names of two persons who
have been asked to complete Decker Scholarship Recommendation
forms, attesting to the applicant's background, interest, or experience,
relative to the area of concern. At least one recommendation should
come from an instructor at a college or university; both letters
should be mailed directly to the Chair of the Department of Biology.
EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS
Recipients will be selected by the
Department of Biology on the basis of the complete application,
including recommendations. The evaluation may require a personal
interview, especially for students new to CSUB.
TIME OF AWARDS
Applications are normally solicited
in the Spring Quarter of each year. If there are no qualified
applicants at that time, the awards will be deferred until the
following fall. If spring recipients do not enroll in the Fall
quarter, new applications may be solicited. Awards will not be
made if the Department determines there are no suitable applicants.
*If you are not selected
as a Decker Scholarship recipient, your application will be forwarded,
if you wish, to the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office for consideration
for support from other sources. This will require that you also
complete page 4 of the Academic Scholarship form and obtain two
recommendations on the "Academic Scholarship Recommendation
Form."
For more information
or application forms contact Dr. D. Germano, Department of Biology
(e-mail)