The Nick Crawford Karst Education Scholarship


The recipients of this scholarship for 2012 are:

Laura Osterhoudt, taking Cave Survey and Cartography
Justin Carlson, taking Cave Archaeology

The purpose of this Scholarship is to provide financial support for one participant per year to attend a weeklong course as a non-credit workshop or for university credit at the Western Kentucky University Karst Field Studies Program. The successful applicant will receive: 1) reimbursement on round trip travel costs to the course location up to $1000, 2) a waiver of the fees if taking the course for a workshop ($500) or $500 credited to tuition for those taking a course for graduate or undergraduate credit, 3) free shared bunkhouse accommodation at the Cave Research Foundation's Hamilton Valley Research Station near Mammoth Cave National Park where most courses are held, or $100 credit toward shared accommodation in the Missouri Ozark's or Geophysics Courses, and 4) a $150 stipend.

Sponsors:

Background:

In June 2011, at the International Conference on Karst Hydrogeology and Ecosystems held at Western Kentucky University, Nick Crawford received the Crawford Karst Education Award. The citation read: "Presented to Dr. Nicholas C. Crawford, Founder of the WKU Karst Field Studies Program, 1980. In recognition and appreciation of contributions to education that have continually advanced karst science in the United States and the world."

In honor of the remarkable contributions to karst science, and in turn protection of karst landscapes made possible by the program and Nick's creativity and energy, WKU's Center for Cave and Karst Studies offers the 2012 Nick Crawford Karst Education Scholarship.


Conditions of the Scholarship:

Any field studies participant from anywhere in the world may apply for this scholarship. The recipient of the award will be the applicant who is able to significantly perpetuate or enhance the field of cave and karst science, management, and/or understanding by participating in a karst field studies course.


All application materials must be received by 5:00 pm Central Standard Time, April 1, 2012 and should be emailed to Dr. Leslie North at leslie.north@wku.edu.


The application should include

  1. a 500-word statement describing the applicant's interest and how the experience will contribute to his or her professional development
  2. a two-page resume (a longer resume may be submitted if you are a non-degree seeking student who will not be submitting a current academic transcript)
  3. a current transcript from the applicant's current school only (if you are not a degree seeking student transcripts are not required)
  4. two letters of recommendation, one of which should be from the applicants' academic advisor (letters can be sent in the body of an email message)
  5. first and second course choices.

Download a PDF version of this information



Partial funding for WKU students is available through the University

For more information visit Summer Sessions at WKU or contact Leslie North at leslie.north@wku.edu