Two Scholarships Awarded to New Jersey’s Young Environmental Leaders

8/31/2011


The Land Conservancy of New Jersey is pleased to announce their 2011 Scholarship recipients. Steven Sheets, graduate of Livingston high scool was awarded the Rogers Family Scholarship and Brian Curry of North Brunswick was awarded the Russell W. Myers Scholarship. The Conservancy grants two awards yearly to outstanding New Jersey college students studying in an environmental field. Each student received $7,750. Since 1984, $163,500 has been awarded to 42 deserving college students by the Conservancy, helping to develop New Jersey’s future environmental leaders.

Steven Sheets is a junior at Delaware Valley College where he is pursuing a degree in Environmental Science. Steven spent last summer working at Picatinny Arsenal conducting research into advanced wastewater treatment technologies. During the school year he works as both a resident assistant and a student tutor at Delaware Valley College. “The gift of education is one of the greatest gifts a person can receive. I am very grateful and honored to have been chosen to receive the Rogers Family Scholarship. It is a remarkable and truly significant gift that will assist me in my goal of becoming a leader in the field of environmental science.”

Brian Curry is a senior at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey studying Environmental Planning and Design. Brian has been working on a self-initiated project to create a wildlife program at Davidson Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick. The program aims to integrate technology and nature to teach local children about the importance of conservation and sustainable living through experimental learning in an outdoor classroom. “Receiving the scholarship has opened my eyes to the abundant possibilities that my passion and hard work can explore. This award has motivated me to pursue my environmental interest with renewed vigor. There is no parallel to the feeling that my passion – what makes me happiest – has earned such meaningful attention and appreciation,” said Brian.

The Russell W. Myers Scholarship was established in 1983 to honor the Conservancy’s founder. The late Mr. Myers was the first director of the Morris County Park Commission and served for a quarter of a century, developing one of the finest park systems in the nation. The Rogers Family Scholarship was established in 2005 by Gray and Mollie Rogers, dedicated conservationists who wanted to expand the Conservancy’s educational support for outstanding conservation-minded New Jersey college students. Gray Rogers is a past Chairman of the Conservancy’s Board of Trustees. The Conservancy currently awards two scholarships yearly to New Jersey residents. The Russell W. Myers Scholarship was established in 1983 to honor the Conservancy’s founder. The late Mr. Myers was the first director of the Morris County Park Commission and served for a quarter of a century, developing one of the finest park systems in the nation.

The Rogers Family Scholarship was established in 2005 by Gray and Mollie Rogers, dedicated conservationists who wanted to expand the Conservancy’s educational support for outstanding conservation-minded New Jersey college students. Gray Rogers is a past Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The Land Conservancy of New Jersey.

To be eligible for the Conservancy’s Scholarship Program, college students must be New Jersey residents who have a 3.0 Grade average or better, and pursuing a career related to environmental preservation. Applications for 2012 will be available January 1 and must be submitted to The Land Conservancy of New Jersey by April 1.