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WRD Retirees Scholarship for Hydrologic Technicians

Hydrologic Technicians enjoy a well-deserved reputation of delivering high-quality data products that meet local, state, and National needs. Praise for these employees comes from groups both internal and external to the USGS. These folks are often referred to as the "backbone" of the water program. To honor these fine folks, WRD Retirees created a scholarship program for Hydrologic Technicians. WRD Retirees presented a proposal in the May 2006 Newsletter to establish an annual $1500 Scholarship for Hydrologic Technicians. The membership of WRD Retirees showed overwhelming support for the Hydrologic Technician Scholarship with 96% of the voting members in favor. Beginning with the scholarships awarded in 2009, WRD Retirees decided to award two scholarships annually. One for $1,500 and a second one for $1,000. In 2010 the scholarships were increased to $3,000 and $2,000.

Several institutions currently offer university level training specific for Hydrologic Technicians: GateWay Community College in Phoenix, AZ; Vermilion Community College in Ely, MN; Spokane Community College, in Spokane, WA and Western Dakota Technical Institute in Rapid City, SD are schools that USGS has experience with. They each offer a two-year program that leads to an Associate Degree as a Hydrologic Technician.

Selection Process:

WRD Retirees appointed the Immediate Past President, Jim Blakey, and Vice-President, Bill Emmett, to establish a procedure to identify and select candidates. With assistance from Jim Kircher, Director, Colorado Water Science Center, and Deborah M. Lowe, Central Region Human Resources Officer, they developed a plan that works well. Students from all schools offering a 2-year program leading to an Associate Degree as a Hydrologic Technician are eligible. Each eligible student is asked to answer:

• What College are you currently attending?
• What are your career goals?
• Why do you want to work for the USGS?
• Where are you willing to accept USGS employment?
• What has been your best experience during your internship with the USGS?

A group of WRD Retirees, several hydrologists and hydrologic technicians, meets to evaluate the applicants. The answers to the above questions, their academic performance and the evaluation of their USGS supervisors are considered.

Recent Winners:

2011: Casey P. Lovato was the winner of a $4,000 scholarship. Casey is a student at GateWay Community College in Phoenix and was a summer intern at the Oregon Water Science Center. He was recognized at a meeting in the Portland USGS office with Chet Zenone representing WRD Retirees. Brandon Clark won a $2,000 scholarship. He is a student at Western Dakota Technical Institute in Rapid City. Brandon was an intern at the South Carolina Water Science Center in Columbia. He will be presented his award during a ceremony at Western Dakota Tech that will be attended by WRD retiree Ken Lindskov. Jeffery S. Sallas also won a $2,000 scholarship and is a student at GateWay. Jeff was an intern at the Sullivan’s Island office and was presented his award at a ceremony in the SC Water Science in which WRD Retirees Gary Tasker participated. Michael Buil was also awarded a $2,000 scholarship. He is a student at GateWay Community College and interned at the Massachusetts Water Science Center. Michael received his award during a ceremony at the USGS office that was attended by WRD retiree Forest Lyford.

2010: Travis Gibson, a student at GateWay Community College, Phoenix, was an intern in the Salt Lake City WRD office. He received a check from WRD Retirees for $3,000 in Oct. 2010 during a Utah District meeting. Michael Blumberg, from Vermillion Community College in Ely, Minnesota received $2,000 from WRD Retirees. He interned in the Richmond, VA WRD office. Michael received his check in Oct. 2010 at a Virginia District meeting.

2009: Lisa Ashmore, a student at GeteWay Community College in Phoenix, AZ was awarded a scholarship for $1,500. Lisa was a summer intern in the Montana Water Science Center. LaShawn Nohrenberg who attends Vermillion Community College in Ely, MN was awarded a scholarship for $1,000. LaShawn was a summer intern in the Nebraska Water Science Center.

2008: Claire Bunch, a student at GateWay Community College, Phoenix, was the 2008 winner. She was selected by a committee of WRD Retirees. Claire was also a summer intern in the Sacramento office of WRD.

www.wrdretirees.org contact: wrdretirees@usgs.gov