Natural Resources Student Awards & Scholarship

The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) Natural Resources program and conservation organizations recognize outstanding students with a number of awards and scholarships.

Scholarships

Norman Pankratz Memorial Conservation Award

The Norman Pankratz Memorial Conservation Award was established to honor former UMC conservation student, Norman Pankratz (1950-1970). It is the Natural Resources Department’s version of an “Oscar” to recognize outstanding commitment to natural resources conservation, leadership, and academic achievement. The award, first presented in 1971, consists of a $1,000 scholarship given to a student returning for at least one semester. The name of the recipient is displayed on a plaque in the Natural Resources Department on the second floor of Owen Hall. Award winners are nominated by the department faculty each spring.

 

Cabela’s Conservation Award

The Cabela's Conservation Award recognizes a senior NatR student who has demonstrated significant potential to contribute to the field of conservation. It was first awarded in 2001 and is made possible by a donation from Cabela’s® Inc., East Grand Forks, Minnesota. This $500 scholarship is awarded annually at UMC’s spring awards reception. Applicants must be majoring in Natural Resources at UMC to be eligible. The application contains a full description of the award and is due at the end of March and can be obtained from John Loegering.

 

Pheasant's Forever Award

The Natural Resources Department is pleased to announce the Pheasants Forever Award; made possible by a donation from the Red River Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever. Two $500 scholarships will be awarded annually to applicants majoring in Natural Resources at UMC. This award is to recognize a new transfer student and a new freshman with significant potential to contribute to the field of conservation. The application contains a full description of the award and is due in April and can be obtained  from Laura Bell.

 

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Wildlife Leadership Award given to student active in conservation leadership and returning for at least one semester of school. Deadline is March 1 of each year. $2,000.

John Polley Soil and Water Conservation Award

The John Polley Soil and Water Conservation Award was established at the 2002 Ag-Arama event on January 26, 2002, to honor a past faculty member who established the soil and water conservation program at the Crookston campus and who was a beloved teacher and mentor to students. The award is administered jointly by the UMC Natural Resources Club and the Natural Resources Department. The award consists of a plaque on a piece of solid walnut and a $100 cash award. The award fund is supported by donations from former students and friends of John Polley, and it is supplemented by the Natural Resources Club and individuals. The selection criteria serve to identify the student who best exemplifies the following text which is engraved on the plaque: 

"To the student who, through words and action, best represents the application of the science and art of soil, water, and related natural resource management to achieve sustainability of people and the environment.” 

Application procedures and selection criteria can be obtained from Phil Baird.

 

Other Awards *

• Natural Resources Students have also received awards from the following conservation organizations:
• Student Conservationist – Minnesota Chapter of The Wildlife Society (7 of last 11 years). Plaque plus $ 100.
• Bob Fedler Award – Minnesota Chapter of The Wildlife Society.
• Full year membership to The Wildlife Society.
• Conservation Scholarship – Minnesota Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (5 of last 7 years). $ 500.
• Conservation scholarship – Isaak Walton League. $ 1,000.
• Conservation scholarship – Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. $ 500.
• Conservation Scholarship - Becker County Sportsman’s Association to resident of Becker County. $ 500. 

* Check with Agriculture & Natural Resources Department office for award application details.

 

 

Student Awards

Year	Cabela’s Award	Pankratz Award	John Polley Award	Pheasants Forever Award
2008	Kristin Fritz	Erick Elgin		Eldo Fosness
2007	not awarded	Mary Jo Geldert and Micah Meyer		First Awarded in 2008
2006	not awarded	Tamara Saxton	Joe Backowski
2005	Nate Emery	Jen (Kaser) Tepovich and Nate Emery
2004	Jessica Larson	Jessica Larson and Russell Kleinschmidt	Adam Wink
2003	Dan Weber	Cheryl Isder	Tyler Janke
2002	not awarded	Dan Oberg	Dan Weber
2001	Lisa Zlutichy	Dan Weber	First Awarded in 2002
2000	First Awarded in 2001	Becky Seifert  and Emily Spinler
1999		Shane Osborne
1998		Chris Noble
1997		Jeremy Engelstad
1996		James Johansen
1995		Wayne Cymbaluk
1994		Dean Anderson
1993		Alan Melvie
1992		Kim Vesey  and Dave Marshall
1991		Laurie Lamm
1990		Tom Kramin
1989		Donovan Pietruszewski  and Mary Sundstrom
1988		Marsha Curtis
1987		James Anderson
1986		Kent Lindner
1985		Tom Fischer
1984		Barbara Lind
1983		Dave Muellner
1982		Richelle Nielsen
1981		Camilla Boeck
1980		Richard Pechacek
1979		Vicki Janisch
1978		Larry Haren  and Daneil Vakock
1977		Glen Fladmark  and Douglas Winter
1976		Gregory Peterson
1975		Kathryn Masanz
1974		David Thom
1973		Jeffrey Pagel  and Denis Ayotte
1972		Kenneth Oehlke and Bruce Paulson
1971		Steve Hottinger
		First Awarded in 1971