Paul Smith's College student wins leadership award

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Nicole Bellerose

PAUL SMITHS, NY (08/22/2011)(readMedia)-- Nicole Bellerose of Troy, Maine, has been awarded the Gerald L. "Jerry" Turpin Wildlife Leadership Award from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Bellerose, who will be a senior this fall at Paul Smith's College in Paul Smiths, N.Y., will receive a $2,000 scholarship and a one-year membership to the foundation as part of the award. In addition to majoring in fisheries and wildlife science, Bellerose is president of the college's chapter of The Wildlife Society and is a head resident assistant at Paul Smith's.

"Nicole is truly a leader, knowing when to lead by action and when to encourage others to participate," said Jorie Favreau, director of the fisheries and wildlife science program at Paul Smith's College and an associate professor of wildlife biology.

The award is given based upon a student's leadership potential, conservation philosophy and academic performance. It honors Jerry Turpin, who, at 23, was killed while clearing a Montana hillside of trees killed by a forest fire.

The mission of the Elk Foundation is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitats.

About Paul Smith's College

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