2011 Scholarship Winners with USGS and College sponsors

  • In 2006, the USGS Retirees Organization (formerly known as WRD Retirees Organization) began an annual scholarship fund to help student interns complete the last year of a 2-year Hydrologic Technician associate’s degree.

    In 2018, the USGS Retirees expanded the scholarship fund to also include aid for USGS Water Mission Area Hydrologic Technicians taking classes to meet the U.S. Office of Personnel Management minimal requirements to be eligible for conversion to aHydrologist. Priority will continue to be given to helping student Hydrologic Technician and Hydrologic Aid interns complete the last year of a college degree.

    As of 2025, we have awarded a total of $104,504 to 59 technicians. The majority of funding comes from member contributions targeted to the scholarship fund. Additional funds come from donations in memory of a member or someone who would have been eligible to be a member. We are happy to accept donations.

  • Applications are solicited beginning in November. Completed applications are due February 15 and awards are typically made in April.

    To be eligible, individuals

    • Must be currently working for the U.S. Geological Survey and have at least 1-year experience with the USGS.

    • Must be currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning or show that they have been accepted to start classes during the fall semester.

    • Field of study may be surface water, groundwater, water quality, or any other water- related project areas.

    Scholarship Amounts very each award period and are based on the number of qualifying applicants and the available funds. Scholarship funds may only be applied to tuition. Expenses, such as, books, lodging, and milage are not allowed. Awards are generally in the $500 - $3,000 range and cover only tuition.

  • Application form is in Microsoft Excelª.

    MSWORD

    PDF

  • 2025 Winners:

    2024 Winners:

    2023 Winners:

    Bryce McClenney, $700 — South Atlantic Water Science Center, AB Technical Community College

    Amelia Lewis, $1,500 — New England Water Science Center, New Hampshire Technical Institute

    Amber Thulean, $1,500 — Washington Water Science Center, Spokane Community College

    2022 Winners:

    Jessica Anderson $2,000 – AZ Water Science Center, American Public University

    Banu Bayraktar $2,000 – NY Water Science Center, State University of NY at Buffalo

    Surya Freeman $690 – OH-KY Water Science Center, Jefferson Community and Technical College

    Ian Lynch $1,900 – PA Water Science Center, Community College of Allegheny County

    Joshua Price $1,599 – OR Water Science Center, Portland Community College

    Maura Uebner $1,500 – South Atlantic Water Science Center, California State University

    2021 Winners:

    Gary Burke $1150 - OK-TX WSC in Lubbock, TX) attending Wayland Baptist University

    Shelby Daniel $2000 - South Atlantic WSC in Norcross, GA) attending the University of Oklahoma

    Noel Deyette $1500 - NY WSC in Troy, NY attending University of Oklahoma – Gallogly College of Engineering

    Heather Manzi $500 - CA WSC in Truckee, CA attending California Community College

    Madelyn Messner $753 - OH-KY WSC in Indianapolis, IN attending Ivy Tech University

    Shannon Pace $1500 - VA-WV WSC in Richmond, VA attending the Ohio State University

    2020 Winners:

    Jessica Cain $668 - South Atlantic WSC, attending Wake Technical Community College, Wake Co., NC

    Matthew Hardebeck $753 - Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana WSC, attending Ivy Technical, IN

    Will Long $800 - Oregon WSC, attending Portland State University, Portland, OR

    Ryan Mesmer $504 - California WSC, attending San Diego Community College, San Diego, CA

    Shannon Pace $1500 - West Virginia WSC, attending Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

    Zachary Perkins 1350 - West Virginia WSC, attending University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

    Kate Wilkins $2000 New Mexico Water Science Center, University of Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

    2019 Winners:

    Taylor Dudunake $2000 – University of Idaho, Moscow, ID Sharon Mulready $2000 – University of California Santa Cruz

    2018 Winners:

    Holly Eschenburg $700 – Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

    Joshua Lee $3,000 – American Military University, Charles Town, WV (Pathway’s Program)

    Johnse Ostman $3,000 – Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK

    Skylar Smith $1,500 – Parkland College, Champaign, IL

    Olivia Stoken $500 – University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

    2017 – No awards were made for this year.

    2016 Winners:

    Ruth Law $2000 – University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

    Joe Morgan $2000 – Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA Jacob Pascoe $2000 – Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

    2015 Winners:

    Keith E. Mecum $4000 – University of Texas, Austin, TX

    Devin S. Minnich $3000 – University of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA

    2014 Winners:

    Carl Turner $4000 -- Vermillion Community College, Ely, MN

    Adam Mastalir $4000 – Madison Area Technical College, Madison, WI

    2013 – No awards were made due to a freeze by the Department of Interior on summer hires.

    2012 Winners:

    Timothy Bronetto $4000 -- Gateway Community College, Phoenix, AZ (interned in Hawaii -- part of the Pacific Islands WSC)

    Alyx Schlafge $3000 -- Vermilion Community College, Ely, MN (intern Austin Field Unit, TX)

    Sarah Jeanne Davis $3000 -- Western Dakota Technical Institute, Rapid City, SD (summer intern Wyoming WSC, Cheyenne, WY)

    2011 Winners:

    Casey P. Lovato $4000 -- GateWay Community College, Phoenix, AZ (summer intern at the Oregon WSC, Portland, OR) Brandon Clark $2000 -- Western Dakota Technical Institute, Rapid City, SD (intern at the South Carolina WSC, Columbia, SC)

    Jeffery S. Sallas $2000 -- GateWay Community College, Phoenix, AZ (intern at the Sullivan’s Island, SC)

    Michael Buil $2000 -- GateWay Community College (interned at the Massachusetts WSC)

    2010 Winners:

    Travis L. Gibson $3000 (1st place) -- GateWay Community College, Phoenix, AZ (summer intern in Salt Lake City, UT)

    Michael Blumberg $2000 (2nd place) -- Vermilion Community College, Ely, MN (summer intern in Richmond, VA)

    2009 Winners:

    Lisa Ashmore $1500 (1st place) -- GateWay Community College, Phoenix, AZ, (summer intern -- Montana WSC)

    LaShawn Nohremberg $1000 (2nd place) -- Vermillion Community College in Ely, MN. (summer intern -- Nebraska WSC)

    2008 Winner:

    Claire Bunch $1500 -- GateWay Community College, Phoenix, AZ (summer intern -- Sacramento, CA)

    2007 Winner:

    Gretchen Anderson $1500 -- Vermilion Community College, Ely, MN

    2006 Winner:

    Jacob B. Dayley $1500 -- GateWay Community College, Phoenix, AZ

  • You can donate directly to our scholarship fund online through Zelle or by sending a check.

    Send scholarship donations to Zelle at DuesUSGSretirees@gmail.com. Put “Scholarship” in the text section of the transfer to designate the gift to our scholarship program

    Checks can be made out to USGS Retirees; mail it to USGS Retirees, P.P Box 280, Herndon, VA 20172-0280 and put “Scholarship” in the check memo.