Federal Water Quality Association Scholaerships

Scholarship Sponsored by Federal Water Quality Association

FWQA Scholarship Program — Overview

The FWQA is proud to support students pursuing careers in wastewater and related environmental fields. Each year, thanks to sponsor contributions, FWQA awards at least three scholarships of $2,000 each to graduating high school seniors from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area who are entering college to study environmental disciplines.

Who may apply

- Graduating high school seniors attending schools in the Washington, D.C. metro area and nearby counties.
- Applicants must have been accepted to a four-year bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university before any award is issued.
- Preferred fields of study include: environmental sciences, environmental engineering, civil engineering, biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, and natural resource planning. Other environmentally related majors will be considered.

Named Scholarships

- Richard Barber Scholarship
- Named for Richard (Rich) Barber, FWQA president in 1992–1993, who helped establish FWQA’s first student chapter at Howard University. Mr. Barber held a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Temple University and an M.S. in Environmental Science from Rutgers University and spent 17 years as an environmental engineer with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This award honors his service to EPA and FWQA. Mr. Barber passed away in 1996 after a two-year fight with cancer.

- Gordon McCallum Scholarship
- In memory of Dr. Gordon McCallum, who served 26 years in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service and retired in 1965 with the rank of Assistant Surgeon General. Dr. McCallum administered the Federal Water Pollution Control Program from 1955 to 1965 and was a former FWQA president and Water Environment Federation board member.

- Harvey Olem Scholarship
- Dedicated to Dr. Harvey Olem, a noted water-quality expert who disappeared in Bolivia in May 1994 while working on a World Bank assignment. Dr. Olem began his career as an environmental engineer with the Tennessee Valley Authority, later worked as a project manager for the U.S. EPA, founded Olem Associates and the Center for Watershed Protection, and was an active FWQA member and frequent author and consultant.

How applications are evaluated

A panel of water and environmental professionals reviews submissions. Selection is based on academic record and, importantly, the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to environmental protection. Essays should highlight relevant academic preparation and/or service, leadership, emphasis on science coursework, the relevance of the chosen college program, and the applicant’s sincerity of purpose.

Application checklist (required in addition to the application form)

1. High school transcript
2. SAT or ACT scores
3. One or more letters of reference (preferably from a science teacher or someone active in environmental work)
4. A list or brief description of extracurricular activities
5. Copy of the college acceptance letter to a four-year institution
6. Essay (one page preferred) addressing one of the topics below

Essay topics (choose one; one page preferred)

- Describe actions you have taken that promoted environmental protection or raised awareness of environmental issues.
- Explain why you want to pursue a career in environmental protection or pollution control: what influenced your choice and what you hope to achieve in this field.
- Discuss how your extracurricular activities, elective courses, and non-science classes will help you reach your career objectives in the environmental arena.

If you need any further details on submission deadlines or the application form, tell me and I’ll provide them.