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Geography Scholarships

The 2024-25 scholarship application period has endedThe Bobcat Online Scholarship System (BOSS) allows you to search and apply for university and external scholarships. The opportunities include scholarships specific to your college, major or area of interest.

Students can apply for multiple scholarships. Scholarship recipients MUST attend the Annual Alumni Reunion and Student Celebration. Please view the list of all scholarships below.


Undergraduate Only

1) The Leif Anenson Geography Scholarship
    honors alumnus Leif Anenson and his love for Geographic Information
   Science (GIS). One scholarship is awarded each spring pending available
   funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1. be an undergraduate geography major
    2. have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
    3. be a junior or senior specializing in the study of Geographic Information Science and financing at least
       25% of her/his education
    4. write a two-page, double-spaced essay on what the student hopes to do with her/his degree in
        geography
    5. be enrolled in at least 12 hours
 


2) The Bruce Lee Augustin Undergraduate Geography Scholarship
    honors Bruce L. Augustin, a senior geography major who lost his life in an 
    automobile accident. The scholarship will help other students who wish to
    pursue the career in geography that Bruce was unable to complete.  One
    scholarship awarded each spring pending available funding and applied to
    the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1. have a 2.75 GPA or higher
    2. be a junior or senior student who is financing at least 50 % of his / her education
    3. write a two-page, double-spaced essay on what the student hopes to do with his / her degree in
        geography
    4. be enrolled in at least 12 hours



3) Byron "Doc" Augustin Undergraduate Geography Scholarship
    honors Byron "Doc" Augustin for encouraging his students to travel and
    experience geography in the real world.  One scholarship is awarded each
    spring pending available funding and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be a sophomore, junior, or senior student majoring in Geography - Resource and Environmental
        Studies who is financing at least 50 % of his / her university education
    2. have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA
    3. submit a two-page, double-spaced essay on what he / she hopes to do with a degree in geography


4) Rebecca Augustin Book Scholarship

   honors the truly outstanding social studies teaching of Rebecca Augustin.
   Ms Augustin wonderfully touched the lives of many young students with
   deeply caring teaching and mentoring.

 Applicant must:
    1.  be a Junior or Senior General Geography major
    2.  will become a public school teacher
    3.  have a Geography GPA of 3.3 or better


5) Karen Brettschneider Geography Scholarship
    honors Karen Brettschneider‘s legacy of environmental stewardship to the
    next generation of geographers.  One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding and applied to the following fall

Applicant must:
    1.  be a full-time undergraduate student majoring in geography
    2.  have a concentration in water studies or resource and environmental studies
    3.  have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA


6) The Detlefsen Junior Academic and Leadership Scholarship
    honors Mr. Bernard “Bernie” Detlefsen for his service to our country and his
    interest in places and maps. One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicants must:
    1.  have a total of 60 credit hours and be a declared Department of Geography major
    2.  have earned a grade of “B” or better in GEO 1309 or 1310, 2410, 3301 and two (2) other GEO classes
         and at least a 3.25 GPA in all GEO classes
    3.  have an overall Texas State GPA of 3.25
    4.  must be or have been an officer in a Texas State Department of Geography student
         organization or otherwise demonstrate leadership and service to a Department of
         Geography student organization.


7) The Detlefsen Junior Opportunity Scholarship
    honors Mr. Bernard "Bernie" Detlefsen for his service to our country and his
    interest in places and maps.  One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  have a total of 60 credit hours
    2.  be a declared Department of Geography major
    3.  have earned a grade of “B” or better in GEO 1309 or 1310, 2410, and four (4) other GEO classes and
         at least a 3.00 GPA in all GEO classes
    4.  have an overall Texas State GPA of 3.00
    5.  be or have been an officer in a Texas State Department of Geography student organization or
         otherwise demonstrate leadership and service to a Department of Geography student organization


8) Detlefsen Junior/Senior Academic and Leadership Excellence Scholarship

Applicant must:
    1.  have a total of 75 credit hours and be a declared Department of Geography major for Texas State
    2.  have earned a grade of “B” or better in GEO 1309 or 1310, 2410, and 3301 and three other GEO classes and at least a 3.50 GPA in all GEO classes
    3.  have an overall Texas State GPA of 3.50
    4.  have been an officer in a Texas State Department of Geography student organization with a demonstrated record of leadership and service to a Department of Geography student organization.


9) The Detlefsen Senior Academic and Leadership Scholarship
    honors Mr. Bernard "Bernie" Detlefsen for his service to our country and his
    interest in places and maps.  One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  have a total of 80 credit hours
    2.  be a declared Department of Geography major
    3.  have earned a grade of B or better in GEO 1309 or 1310, 2410, and 3301 and four (4) other GEO
        classes and at least a 3.40 GPA in all GEO classes
    4.  have an overall Texas State GPA of 3.40 required to graduate “cum laude”


10) The Detlefsen Senior Opportunity Scholarship
    honors Mr. Bernard "Bernie" Detlefsen for his service to our country and his
    interest in places and maps.  One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  have a total of 80 credit hours
    2.  be a declared Department of Geography major
    3.  have earned a grade of B or better in GEO 1309 or 1310, 2410, and five (5) other GEO classes and at
         least a 3.00 GPA in all GEO classes
    4.  have an overall Texas State GPA of 3.00be or have been an officer in a Texas State Department of
         Geography student organization or otherwise demonstrate leadership and service to a Department
         of Geography student organization


11 The Lawrence Estaville Scholarship in Geography
      honors Dr. Lawrence Estaville and his outstanding service to the
      Department of Geography as chair from 1994 to 2004.  One scholarship is
      awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied to the following
      fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be a first generation college student
    2.  be declared an undergraduate geography major
    3.  have a sophomore or junior standing
    4.  have an overall GPA of 2.5 or above and a geography GPA of 2.5 or above
    5.  provide evidence of service to the Department of Geography and the community
    6.  priority will be given to students who qualify for federal work-study funding (attach statement of
         eligibility)
    7.  priority will be given to students from underrepresented communities of the state


12) The Hilmar W. and Alta R. Hageman Family Endowed Scholarship
     honors Hilmar W. and Alta Ruth McWilliams Hageman and the values they
     demonstrated in the care of their family.  For years, Texas State
     University-San Marcos has been a part of the Hageman family, and it is the
     goal of this scholarship to benefit local students in need.  One scholarship
     is awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied to the
     following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be a San Marcos High School graduate
    2.  enter Texas State as a geography major
    3.  have an ACT score of 22 or higher or an SAT of 1000 or higher
    4.  be a full-time student (enrolled in 12 hours) and demonstrate financial need


13) The Allen D. Hellman Scholarship in Geography and Planning
      honors Allen D. Hellman, retired professor and past chair of the
      Department of Geography and Planning.  One scholarship is awarded each
      spring pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  enroll in at least one geography class
    2.  be a full-time student (enrolled in 12 hours)show financial needs
    3.  have an interest in majoring in geography and be an incoming student


14) The Sally Ann Karnau Geography Scholarship
      honors Sally Ann Karnau, one of the first five students in the Texas State
      Geography PhD program.  One scholarship is awarded each spring
      pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be an undergraduate geography major
    2.  have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
    3.  be a junior or senior student who is financing at least 25 % of her / his education
    4.  write a two-page, double-spaced essay on what the student hopes to do with her / his degree in
         geography


15) The Martha Sue Baker Morrow Scholarship for a Teacher Candidate
      for Secondary Geography Teaching
      honors Martha Sue Baker Morrow’s lifelong dedication to excellence in
      teaching and to high standards of academic scholarship in high school
      teaching.  Martha Sue Morrow, nee Baker (1924-1969), was a 1946
      graduate of Texas State University and a highly respected teacher at Bay
      City High School in Bay City, Texas. One scholarship is awarded each
      spring pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be an exemplary, upper division, teacher candidate in secondary geography
    2.  submit their GPA (counts one-third in judging)
    3.  submit recommendation letters from university faculty or mentor teachers (counts one-third in
         judging)
    4.  write a 500-word essay discussing teaching goals and interests, with an emphasis on dedication to
         teaching and educational philosophy, as well as efforts to make a difference in students’ lives and learning
         through teaching and educational service whether innovative or traditional, inside or outside of the classroom
         (counts one-third in judging)
    5.  have undergraduate standingbe enrolled for 12 semester hours


16) The National Center for Farmworker Health Award in Geography
      honoring the commitment of Texas State University students to improving
      the health status of a migratory and/or seasonal agricultural worker
      population.

Applicant must:
    1.  has undertaken a laudatory academic or community service project that is deemed likely to
         improve the health status of a migratory or seasonal agricultural worker population
    2.  has undertaken a laudatory academic or community service project that
         enhances understanding of migratory or seasonal agricultural worker health needs
    3. demonstrates a personal connection to migratory or seasonal agricultural workers either through
        family history, or a personal or professional commitment.


17) The Jacob ("Jake") Rakofsky Scholarship
      honors the memory of Jacob “Jake” Rakofsky.  It is only fitting that this
      scholarship be an extension of that spirit that was Jacob Rakofsky and it
      continues to give, in perpetuity, to students who shared Jake’s love for
      Geography.

Applicant must:
    1.  be a non-freshman undergraduate student
    2.  be pursuing a geography or geography-related degree
    3.  be a student who struggled during their freshman year, but has continued to maintain progress
         toward a degree


18) The Richard Wayne Simmons Scholarship
      honors Richard Simmons’ untiring advocacy for the Department of
      Geography.  One scholarship is awarded each spring pending available
      funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be an undergraduate geography major
    2.  have a GPA of 2.5 or higher in their major
    3.  be a junior or senior
    4.  have started school later in life or returned to school after some time away


19) The Spirit of Geography Scholarship
      honors the memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 in
      an airplane that was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon.  One
      scholarship is awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied
      to the following fall.

Applicant criteria:
    1.  one high school student who best represents the “Spirit of Geography” will be selected from the
         annual Texas State Department of Geography Summer Geography Academy for Minority Students
    2.  the selected student must agree in writing to attend Texas State as a geography major
    3.  if neither of these criteria are met, then the Texas State Geography Department has the discretion of
         either not awarding the scholarship or making exceptions to the criteria and awarding a deserving
         minority student who is currently a Texas State Geography pre-major or majorbe enrolled for 12 hours.


20) The Spirit of Geography Urban Planning Alumni Scholarship
      honors the collective success of urban planning alumni of the Geography
      Department, their contributions to the field and dedication to furthering the
      profession for future generations.  One scholarship awarded each spring
      pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be an undergraduate major in Urban and Regional Planning
    2.  possess a 3.0 Texas State GPA and a 3.0 Geography Department GPA
    3.  be classified as a Junior or Senior following completion of the Spring semester
         for which the scholarship is awarded
    4.  be an active member of the American Planning Association (APA) and/or the
         Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), with special consideration given to members of both
         organizations
    5.  be committed to an internship at an approved employer
    6.  submit a 500-word essay demonstrating an understanding of the importance of urban planning in
         Central Texas and a record of civic engagement & volunteerism


21) The Phillip A. Staskus Undergraduate Geography Scholarship
      honors Phillip A. Staskus’ extraordinary devotion to his wife and children.
      One scholarship awarded each spring pending available funding, and
      applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be a geography major
    2.  be a junior or senior
    3.  have successfully completed 15 semester hours of geography course work
    4.  have an overall GPA of 2.75 or above
    5.  write a two-page double-spaced essay stating how the student plans to use her/his geography degree


22) The Taetz Family Geography Scholarship
      honors the Taetz family and the positive impact that diverse geography has
      had on their lives.  One scholarship is awarded each spring pending
      available funding.

Applicant must:
    1.  be an undergraduate geography major
    2.  have successfully completed at least 30 hours at Texas State University-San Marcos
    3.  have a GPA of 2.75 or higher and be in need of financial aid for the applicable spring semester
    4.  write a two-page, double-spaced essay on what the student plans to do with his/her degree in
         geography


23) The Jim Wacker Memorial Scholarship
      honors the memory of the University’s legendary football coach and athletic
      director, Jim Wacker (1936-2003), and his commitment to class, integrity
      and academic success.  One scholarship is awarded each spring pending
      available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be an undergraduate geography major
    2.  have a 2.75 GPA or higher


Graduate Only

1) The George D. Battle Memorial Scholarship Supporting Research in
    Climatology or Coastal Geography

    honors George D. Battle's lifelong commitment to the study of the natural
    environment of Texas. One scholarship is awarded each spring pending
    available funding and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
  1. be a graduate student
  2. be studying climatology or coastal geography
  3. have a 3.0 or higher GPA


2) The Blanchard Family Geography Scholarship 
    was designed to help a student in financial need. One scholarship is
    awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
  1. be a graduate student
  2. have a 3.5 or higher GPA
  3. demonstrate financial need (currently defined as an annual income of
      $15,000/year or less) 
  4. be enrolled in at least nine semester hours


3) The Frank and Ivy Boehm Geography Scholarship for Ph.D. Students
    in Geographic Education

    honors Frank and Ivy Boehm for their strong support of education as an
    avenue by which individuals can significantly contribute to improving our
    society.  One scholarship is awarded each spring pending available funding,
    and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
      1. be a Ph.D. student in geographic education
      2. be competitive with a high grade point
      3. submit a 250 word request to the Director of the Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education that
         addresses need and qualifications
      4. students in the Summer Cohort program will get preference
      5. this award will be decided in consultation between the geography department chairperson and the
          Director of the Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education
      6. extracurricular activities will be considered


4) The Ray and Marian Butler Environmental Geography Scholarship
    honors Ray and Marion Butler of Omaha, Nebraska for their ongoing support
    of geography, travel and fieldwork and in honor of their 50th wedding
    anniversary on November 20, 1999.  One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
   1. be a Ph. D. student in environmental geography
   2. use the award to support the costs of fieldwork on a dissertation topic examining environmental
       physical geography in the mountains of the western United States
   3. submit a 1,000-word essay describing his or her dissertation fieldwork and how the Ray and Marian
       Butler Scholarship would aid that fieldwork
   4. be enrolled in at least nine semester hours


5) The Detlefsen Dissertation Scholarship
    honors Mr. Bernard "Bernie" Detlefsen for his service to our country and his
    interest in places and maps.  One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
   1. have an approved dissertation proposal
   2. have a of scholarly productivity and leadership


6) The Detlefsen Doctoral Candidate Scholarship
    honors Mr. Bernard "Bernie" Detlefsen for his service to our country and his
    interest in places and maps.  One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
   1. have passed comprehensive / qualifying exams
   2. have a record of scholarly productivity and leadership
 


7) The Detlefsen Doctoral Excellence Scholarship
    honors Mr. Bernard "Bernie" Detlefsen for his service to our country and his
    interest in places and maps.  One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
  1. be a 2nd year student
  2. demonstrate  excellence in coursework 
  3. have a record of research productivity


8) The Detlefsen Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship
     honors Mr. Bernard "Bernie" Detlefsen for his service to our country and his
     interest in places and maps.  One scholarship is awarded each spring
     pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
  1. have a Masters GPA>3.75
  2. have a strong record of professional activities 
  3. be highly recommended in admission letters of reference


9) The Detlefsen Graduate Field Study Travel Award

· Applicants must:
      1.  be registered as a Master or Ph.D. student in a Texas State’s Geography Department.
      2.  use funds for field and archival research, not for attendance at academic meetings, workshops, training, or language acquisition.
      3.  have a clear field research proposal narrative, proposed budget, c.v. and letter of support from their advisor. Research must be conducted during the dates specified in the proposal.
      4. recipients of previous Field Study Awards are ineligible to apply with the exception that previous winners at the Master’s level may apply for the Ph.D. level award.

· Applicants should submit a single document which includes:
      1.  Fieldwork Proposal Narrative: 3 pages, double spaced, 12pt Times New Roman.
      2.  Proposal Budget: Include transportation costs. Budget capped at $1,500.
      3.  Curriculum Vitae: 2 pages maximum including most relevant information.

An Advisor Letter of Support must be sent by the applicant's Faculty advisor directly to the Scholarship and Awards Committee Chair (Dr. Blue: sblue@txstate.edu).


10) The Detlefsen Masters Excellence Scholarship
      honors Mr. Bernard "Bernie" Detlefsen for his service to our country and his interest in places and maps.
      One scholarship is awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
  1. have completed nine credit hours of graduate work with a GPA of 3.59 or
      higher
  2. have a record of professional activity such as professional presentations
      and student organization participation


11) Shadae Dixon Memorial Geography Scholarship
     honors the memory of Shadae Dixon, a young, vibrant, and talented PhD student who died
     unexpectedly at age 28. It is the intent for the endowment to reach twenty-five thousand dollars
     ($25,000) in five years. If the fund has not reached the endowment level by May 2023, funds will
     be used to provide an annual award per the criteria below until funds are expended.

Applicant must:
    1. be a graduate student in Geography (either Masters or Doctoral) in their first or second year of study
    2. demonstrate excellence in coursework, teaching, and/or research, with a 3.5 GPA or above
    3. preference will be given to students from historically underrepresented groups.


12) The Sandra E. Estaville Dissertation Scholarship
      honors Sandra Estaville for her support of the development and
      implementation of the Geography Ph.D. programs at Texas State
      University-San Marcos.  One scholarship is awarded each spring pending
      available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
   1. write a proposal for dissertation research including research goals and time period
   2. submit letters of recommendation from the applicant’s research advisor and two members of the
       dissertation committee 
   3. have a high GPA.


13) The Foster Family Doctoral Educational Fund in Geographic Education
     honors Ellen J. Foster, Ph.D., the third generation in her family to receive an
     education degree from the institution now known as Texas State
     University-San Marcos.  One scholarship is awarded each spring pending
     available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
   1. write a proposal for dissertation research including research goals and time period
   2. submit letters of recommendation from the applicant’s research advisor and two members of the
       dissertation committee 
   3. have a high GPA.


14) The Sally Ann Karnau Geography Dissertation Research Scholarship
      honors Sally Ann Karnau, one of the first five students in the Texas State
      Geography doctoral program.  The scholarship will help other students who
      wish to pursue careers in geography.  One scholarship is awarded each
      spring pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
  1. write a proposal for dissertation research including research goals and time period
  2. submit letters of recommendation from the applicant's research advisor and two members of the
      dissertation committee
  3. have a high GPA


15) The Amita Malwade Graduate Scholarship
      honors Amita Malwade, a young, extremely dedicated and bright teacher
      and scholar, who died unexpectedly at age 35, only two months after
      receiving her doctorate from Pennsylvania State University in 1992.  One
      scholarship is awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied
      to the following fall.

Applicant must:
  1. be a graduate student in human geography; special consideration will be given to students in
      population geography and social geography
  2. show high motivation and academic standards
  3. demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching and research


16) The Natural Hazards Scholarship honors Dr. Gilbert F. White for his
    contribution to natural hazards research in geography and for his
    commitment in facilitating future generations of natural hazards geographers.
    One scholarship is awarded each spring pending available funding, and
    applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1. be a graduate student who has a demonstrated interest in natural hazards
    2. have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
    3. contribute product (e.g., paper, presentation, annotated bibliography) at the
        end of the scholarship period


Undergraduate or Graduate

1) The Giordano-Mastroianni Family Endowed Scholarship in Geography
honors the parents of Alberto Giordano and Marta Mastroianni: Maria Bordin and Ferdinando Giordano and Adriana Zanato and Angelo Mastroianni. While Alberto and Marta’s parents could not afford going to college, they taught their children the values of education from a very early age, and all they have accomplished in life, they owe to their parents. Ferdinando was able to complete high school, briefly played professional soccer, and went on to a rewarding career for a number of retail companies. He passed away in 2008. Maria is a stay at home mom who raised four children and kept everybody sane and organized in the first sixteen years of her marriage to Ferdinando, during which the Giordanos lived in nine different cities in Italy. Angelo Mastroianni joined the Air Force at age seventeen and worked as a radio operator until he retired. He and Adriana raised two children. Adriana started working as a seamstress at age 8 and continued in the profession throughout her life. Maria Bordin, Angelo Mastroianni and Adriana Zanato live in Treviso, a northern Italian city near Venice, where a combined four siblings and eight nephews and nieces all live.

Alberto and Marta have established this scholarship to award two first-generation college students, one undergraduate and one graduate, per year. Alberto and Marta declared “We cannot think of a better way to honor our parents. They taught us that honesty, integrity, and empathy are the values we should live by.”


2) The Peggy Steele Clay / Brock Brown Scholarship
was created to encourage outstanding students at Texas State University to enter the geography and social studies public education field and to provide financial support during the student teaching semester.  This scholarship is named for Peggy Clay, a retired teacher and former Teacher in Residence at National Geographic Society, and Brock Brown, retired Texas State geography professor and former Director or Geography Education Institutes at National Geographic Society.

In order to be eligible for this scholarship:
1.   Three types of pre-service teachers are eligible:
     A.  Texas State University undergraduate geography majors or minors seeking secondary social
           studies or geography teacher certification;
     B.  Texas State University undergraduate or graduate students seeking elementary teacher
           certification with a geography concentration;
     C.  Texas State University Geography B.A. or BS. Graduates returning for post-baccalaureate
           secondary certification in geography or social studies and
2.  Have a minimum cumulative Texas State University GPA of at least 3.0.


3) The Richard A. Earl Gamma Theta Upsilon Geography (GTU) Scholarship
    honors Dr. Richard A. Earl for his dedication and service to students,
    Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU), and the Department of Geography.  One
    scholarship is awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied to
    the following fall.

Applicants must:
    1.  be an active member of GTU
    2.  demonstrate outstanding service to GTU
    3.  provide evidence of service to the Department of Geography, Texas State,
         and the community
    4.  have a geography GPA of 3.5 or higher and an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher


4) The Four Brothers Scholarship in Geography
    honors four brothers (Armand, Carlo, Cesare, and Vincenzo Stea) who, as 
    sons of an immigrant family, made major contributions to painting, sculpture,
    design, and music in the Western Hemisphere throughout the 20th century. 
    One scholarship is awarded each spring, and applied to the following fall.

Applicants must:
    1.  be a student who has come to the United States from another country
    2.  demonstrate financial need
    3.  demonstrate academic promise/achievement
    4.  be enrolled in at least 9-12 hours


5) The Jeffries Family Scholarship in Geography

honors Donna Rankin Jeffries.  One scholarship is awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1.  be an undergraduate student in the top 10 % of their high school graduating class
    2.  be an undergraduate student in the top 30 % of the ACT or SAT scores of the University’s entering
         freshmen class
    3.  be an undergraduate student majoring in Geography for at least 2 years
    4.  be a graduate student with a 3.5 GPA in graduate and undergraduate course work
    5.  be a graduate student with a combined 300 score or above on the GRE 
    6.  be an undergraduate or graduate student with demonstrated leadership abilities
    7.  be an undergraduate or graduate student with a record of participation in extracurricular activities
    8.  be a graduate student majoring in Geography


6) The Lester / Wahl Family Scholarship
honors the James and Ingeborg Lester family.  The scholarship also honors Angelika Lester Wahl for her accomplishments mentoring Texas State students, particularly women and persons from underrepresented groups.  One scholarship is awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicants must:
    1. be an undergraduate or graduate student attending Texas State full-time as a geography major
    2. have a minimum 3.0 overall Grade Point Average (GPA) if an undergraduate student or a minimum 3.5
        overall Grade Point Average (GPA) if a graduate student and
    3.  write a 500-word essay discussing either:
       A)  Demonstration of the recipient’s community volunteerism; or
       B)  Recipient’s goal toward an element of geography
    4. preference shall be given to a female student


7) The Gloria Gene Moore and Gloria Bliss Moore Endowed Scholarship

established by Gloria Gene Moore to pay forward the scholarships given to her by Southwest Texas State (1970 - 1973) and in memory of her mother Gloria Bliss Moore. The purpose of the scholarship is to support the education of students aspiring to have careers that will help keep Texas beaches, rivers, lakes, and waterways clean and make them more productive. It is the donor's intent to support undergraduate or graduate students majoring in Resource and Environmental Studies or Water Resources.

Applicants must:
    1.  be an undergraduate or graduate student majoring in Resource and Environmental Studies or Water Resources: and,
    2.  graduate recipient(s) must be pursuing their Master of Applied Geography Degree, majoring in Resource and Environmental Studies.


8) The Joe and Jerry Moore Scholarship

honors Joe G. Moore Jr. for his outstanding contributions to water resource policy development in Texas and the nation, as well as his lifelong commitment to professional excellence, and Jerry Moore for her unwavering support of Joe Moore's vision for the wise use of our water resources.  One scholarship is awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicants must:
    1.  be an undergraduate or graduate student
    2.  have earned a grade of "A" in either GEO 3434, 5334, or 7334
    3.  have a GPA of 3.5 or higher
    4.  provide evidence of service to the department, the community, and the State of Texas
    5.  demonstrate  financial need


9) The Touchstone-Kimmel Scholarship in Geographic Interpretation
    honors the lifelong commitments of Roy H.Touchstone and Ross Kimmel Jr.
    to education. One scholarship is awarded each spring pending available
    funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicants must:
    1.  be a major in the Department of Geography at Texas State
    2.  have a GPA of 3.5 or higher
    3.  write an essay (four pages maximum) describing the student’s interest in
         geographic interpretation and how the scholarship will help the student
        achieve specific goals


10) The Adriana Samantha Visser Memorial Scholarship honors Adriana
    Samantha Visser, a bright little girl with the courage and fortitude to lovingly
    face an impossible situation. One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicants must:
    1.  be a female who is either an undergraduate or graduate student in good standing as a major or minor
         in geography
    2.  be the caregiver of a disabled or handicapped child (see criterion #3)
    3.  if no one is eligible under criterion #2, the scholarship may be awarded to the caregiver of one or
         more dependent children
    4.  if more than one applicant is eligible under the first two criteria (or criteria 1 and 3), undergraduate
         students take precedence over graduate students
    5.  if there are 2 qualified undergraduate applicants (or 2 graduate applicants), the scholarship is
         awarded to the student with the highest scholastic achievement (i.e. highest grades, etc. not
         necessarily the most senior student)


Doctoral Only

1) The Frank and Ivy Boehm Geography Scholarship
    honors Frank and Ivy Boehm for their strong support of  education as an avenue by which
    individuals can significantly contribute to improving our society. One scholarship is awarded
    each spring pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
    1. be a Ph.D. student in geographic education
    2. be competitive with a high grade point
    3. submit a 250 word request to the Director of the Grosvenor Center for
        Geographic Education that addresses need and qualifications
    4. students in the Summer Cohort program will get preference
    5. this award will be decided in consultation between the geography
       department chairperson and the Director 
      of the Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education
  6. extracurricular activities will be considered


2) The Ray and Marian Butler Environmental Geography Scholarship   
    honors Ray and Marion Butler of Omaha, Nebraska for their ongoing support
    of geography, travel and fieldwork and in honor of their 50th wedding
    anniversary on November 20, 1999. One scholarship is awarded each spring
    pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
  1. be a Ph. D. student in environmental geography
  2. use the award to support the costs of fieldwork on a dissertation topic
      examining environmental physical
      geography in the mountains of the western United States
  3. submit a 1,000-word essay describing his or her dissertation fieldwork and
      how the Ray and Marian Butler Scholarship would aid that fieldwork
  4. be enrolled in at least nine semester hours


3) The Detlefsen Doctoral Dissertation Scholarship
    honors Mr. Bernard "Bernie" Detlefsen for his service to our country and his interest in
    places and maps. One scholarship is awarded each spring pending available funding,
    and applied to the following fall.

 Applicant must:
    1. have an approved dissertation proposal
    2. have a of scholarly productivity and leadership


4) The Detlefsen Graduate Field Study Travel Award

· Applicants must:
      1.  be registered as a Masters or Ph.D. student in a Texas State’s Geography Department.
      2.  use funds for field and archival research, not for attendance at academic meetings, workshops, training, or language acquisition.
      3.  have a clear field research proposal narrative, proposed budget, c.v. and letter of support from their advisor. Research must be conducted during the dates specified in the proposal.
      4. recipients of previous Field Study Awards are ineligible to apply with the exception that previous winners at the Master’s level may apply for the Ph.D. level award.

· Applicants should submit a single document which includes:
      1.  Fieldwork Proposal Narrative: 3 pages, double spaced, 12pt Times New Roman.
      2.  Proposal Budget: Include transportation costs. Budget capped at $1,500.
      3.  Curriculum Vitae: 2 pages maximum including most relevant information.

An Advisor Letter of Support must be sent by the applicant's Faculty advisor directly to the Scholarship and Awards Committee Chair (Dr. Blue: sblue@txstate.edu).


5) The Detlefsen Doctoral Candidate Scholarship
    honors Mr. Bernard "Bernie" Detlefsen for his service to our country and his interest in places
    and maps. One scholarship is awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied to the
    following fall.

Applicant must:
  1. have passed comprehensive / qualifying exams
  2. have a record of scholarly productivity and leadership


6) TWO Detlefsen Doctoral (Recruitment) Scholarships

Applicant must:
   1. have masters GPA >3.75
   2. have strong record of professional activities
   3. be highly recommended in admission letters of reference.


7) The Detlefsen Doctoral Excellence Scholarship
    honors Mr. Bernard "Bernie" Detlefsen for his service to our country and his interest in
    places and maps. One scholarship is awarded each spring pending available funding,
    and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
  1. be a 2nd year student
  2. demonstrate excellence in coursework
  3. have a record of research productivity


8) The Sandra E. Estaville Dissertation Research Scholarship
    honors Sandra Estaville for her support of the development and implementation of
    the Geography Ph.D. programs at Texas State University-San Marcos. One scholarship
    is awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
  1. write a proposal for dissertation research including research goals and time
      period
  2. submit letters of recommendation from the applicant’s research advisor and
      two members of the dissertation committee
  3. have a high GPA.


9) The Foster Family Doctoral Educational Fund in Geographic Education
     honors Ellen J. Foster, Ph.D., the third generation in her family to receive an education
     degree from the institution now known as Texas State University-San Marcos. One scholarship is
     awarded each spring pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
  1. be enrolled in a minimum of 3 semester hours at Texas State in the doctoral program
  2. be a Texas resident who demonstrates financial need
  3. be pursuing a doctorate in Geographic Education
  4. be at the ABD level, working on his/her dissertation within the 3 semester hours of enrollment
  5. be the recipient of the funds only once.


10) The Sally Ann Karnau Geography Dissertation Research Scholarship
    honors Sally Ann Karnau, one of the first five students in the Texas State
    Geography doctoral program. The scholarship will help other students who
    wish to pursue careers in geography. One scholarship is awarded each
    spring pending available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
  1. write a proposal for dissertation research including research goals and time
      period
  2. submit letters of recommendation from the applicant's research advisor and
      two members of the dissertation committee
  3. have a high GPA


11) The Mao-Geng Zhan Scholarship for Academic Excellence
    honors Mao-Geng Zhan's (Dr. F. Benjamin Zhan's late grandfather) emphasis on
    education, and inspired Dr. F.B. Zhan to seek academic excellence during
    his early childhood. One scholarship is awarded each spring pending
    available funding, and applied to the following fall.

Applicant must:
  1. be a geography doctoral student at Texas State
  2. have authored or coauthored (as first author) an article that has been
      published or accepted for publication  
      by an international or national refereed journal
  3. have conducted the cited research at Texas State University


Additional Scholarship Opportunities

The Graduate College offers a variety of scholarships and fellowships for new, continuing, and prospective students at Texas State University.  There are also external scholarships and fellowships available from entities outside of Texas State which can be accessed via our Graduate Funding Opportunities database.


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