Paul Smith's College awarded $530,000 NSF grant

Grant to fund scholarships, encourage careers in science

PAUL SMITHS, NY (04/24/2012)(readMedia)-- Paul Smith's College has won a $530,000 grant from the National Science Foundation that will help students pursue careers in science.

Students majoring in fisheries and wildlife science or environmental science will be eligible for scholarships that will be covered by the grant.

The grant is part of an NSF initiative to increase the nation's strength in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. More than 400 colleges and universities applied for the grant; Paul Smith's was among approximately 90 chosen to receive an award.

As many as 14 students at a time will benefit from Paul Smith's new Enhancing Ecological Education Scholarship Program, or E3SP. The grant will cover scholarships for five years, beginning in fall 2012 and running through the 2016-2017 academic year.

"The Adirondacks are one of the best classrooms imaginable to give students the foundation they need to pursue work in ecology and the environment," said Dr. Jorie Favreau, a Paul Smith's professor and director of E3SP. "Students in E3SP will work directly with faculty members on original research and experience firsthand the thrill of discovery, building the basis for lifelong careers in science."

As part of the scholarship, students will be teamed with a Paul Smith's faculty member on a long-term research project, and be mentored by older students in the E3SP program. Eventually, students will produce their own thesis-length capstone project before graduating, and become peer mentors themselves.

To be eligible for one of the scholarships, students need to have a GPA of at least 3.0, demonstrate financial need and be accepted or enrolled at Paul Smith's in the fisheries and wildlife science or environmental science majors.

The grant is part of the NSF's Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) program, which was established following the passage of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998. That law – subsequently renewed in 2004 – established the need to increase the number of scientists and engineers trained in the United States.

For more information about the scholarship, go to www.paulsmiths.edu/stem, or contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@paulsmiths.edu / (800) 421-2605.

About Paul Smith's College

At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. Our programs, in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences, draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere.