MoNEP Creates Scholarship at UMSL

Last spring, the MoNEP Board of Directors sought to establish a yearly scholarship to be awarded to a student with an interest in photography, working towards a degree in an area related to nature and the environment. Members Ken Biddle, Bill Lubben, Linda Moder and Don Morice agreed to take on the task of studying the possibility and formed The Scholarship Committee. Among the issues they addressed were whether to work with one college or several; whether to offer the scholarship to students of all levels or strictly upperclassmen; invite Missouri students, United States citizens or any student to apply.

Ultimately, they decided to work with a college in St. Louis. The committee made contact with several local universities to learn about the requirements each had for scholarships and to determine what degrees and programs were offered that might be aligned with MoNEP’s mission. After extensive research, the committee determined that the University of Missouri-St. Louis had a program that would fit all of the requirements they had set forth. The scholarship will go to a student attending UMSL’s Pierre Laclede Honors College. Within the Honors College is a program called Campus Honors Environmental Research Program or CHERP. CHERP represents a partnership between the Honors College and the Departments of Biology and Continuing Education. CHERP also involves a working partnership with the St. Louis County Parks, and, through that collaboration, they have access to a 75-acre tract of green space in St. Vincent’s Park, adjacent to the Honors College grounds. It provides an ideal location for students engaged in environmental science learning.

The committee worked with the Dean of the Honors College, Dr. Robert Bliss, to set
up the following scholarship criteria:

•  The student must be a member of the Pierre Laclede Honors College and
  demonstrate an interest in photography, especially as it relates to the
  environment.

•  Recipients must be either a junior or senior, or a graduate student if qualified for
  programming at the Pierre Laclede Honors College and enrolled full time.

•  The degree (major) choice is open. However, it will be a normal expectation that
  as the scholarship holder moves through his/her degree program, this interest in
  environmental and nature photography will develop further through special
  projects, course selection or independent study.

•  Recipients will be asked to present a portfolio of their photography at a MoNEP
  membership meeting.

MONEP will be presented with a list of qualified applicants, with essays and other appropriate information to make a well-considered decision on the scholarship recipient by the end of May. Don Morice said, “We feel that that the students that we help with these scholarships will go on to use their skills to improve the environment and nature and, through these improvements, they will be leaving a lasting legacy of MoNEP and our mission.” Thanks to the committee for its hard work in setting up this great opportunity for students and for MoNEP.

 

Member News

In addition to her photography, Tina Crist is a freelance artist, graphic designer, art and frame restoration specialist and custom picture framer. She recently finished painting a mural for the National Parks Service in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways at Akers Ferry. She is currently working on the restoration of photos from the collection of Jack Buck.

Fellow member Mike Williams has a fiction adventure book coming out late this spring called Frozen at 1/1000th. It is about a photographer who lands the assignment of a lifetime in the Arctic. However, he soon finds himself in over his head when he gets caught up in a murder and espionage plot.

 

Print Images Wanted

The Community Outreach committee is seeking nature images to use on its display board for public events. If you are willing to provide 4x6 or 5x7 images for promotional purposes, please turn your prints into Outreach Committee chair Lori Purk or Don Morice.

St. Louis Camera CLub Seminar

Tom Murphy will be the presenter at the 2010 St. Louis Camera Club seminar on March 13th. Tom is best known for his extensive work in Yellowstone National Park. Since 1975 he has hiked and skied throughout Yellowstone’s 3,400 square miles, photographing wildlife and the colors, shapes and textures of the land along the way. The seminar will be held at the Maritz Auditorium in Fenton. Visit www.stlcameraclub.com/2010-seminar/2010- seminar.php for further details.

NANPA Discussion Forums

The NANPA Discussion Forums have been launched. Learn about NANPA news, post equipment for sale, find and promote workshops, ask questions about photo equipment, discuss photo locations and more. There are both public and members only areas and all photographers are welcome at http://www.nanpa.org/forums/.