Robert M. Jenkins Memorial Reservoir Research Scholarship

The Reservoir Committee (RC), a technical committee of the Southern Division AFS, created the Robert M. Jenkins Memorial Reservoir Research Scholarship in 1997. The Scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to graduate students conducting reservoir-related fisheries research in the southeastern United States who show exceptional progress in their research, education, and professional endeavors.

Two $500 scholarships will be presented for 2018. The recipients of the Jenkins Scholarship receive a check and will be recognized at the Spring SDAFS business meeting. The award will be made directly to the student and not the student’s educational institution. It can be used for any aspect of the graduate education including, but not limited to, tuition, textbooks, equipment, travel or living expenses. It is not intended to replace any funding obligated to the student.

Selection criteria are based on research, education, professional and civic activities, among other things. Research and education activities can be associated with any aspect of reservoir ecosystem management. Professional activities in fishery-related student organizations, AFS Chapters, and similar organizations are desirable. Applicable public services include any voluntary activities but those pertaining to conservation and fishing are most desirable. A committee of RC members will review applications and present recommendations to the RC Chair for approval. All application materials must be received by December 1^st each year. Scholarship information may be found on the Students page of the Southern Division website as well as the webpage of the Reservoir Technical Committee.

2017 Recipient: The SDAFS Reservoir Committee is proud to recognize Dray Carl as the 201 recipient of the Robert M. Jenkins Memorial Reservoir Research Scholarship. Dray is working under Dr. Dan Shoup at Oklahoma State University and his thesis is on the use of saugeye to improve crappie fisheries in southern reservoirs. He is collecting seasonal diet data of saugeye from five Oklahoma reservoirs and using population level bioenergetics and ecosystem modeling to determine whether saugeye introductions can be used to improve crappie growth, and if so, under what conditions. Congratulations Dray on your award!

Scholarship Application Process:

1.       Application materials must be received by close of business December 1. This includes the Application Form and associated documents and letter of recommendation. Application materials should be submitted via email to [log in to unmask]. Please contact Jeremy to make other arrangements for application material delivery, if necessary. The RC scholarship committee chair will distribute the application packets to the review committee.

2.       Fill out the Application Form.

3.       Provide a copy of your research proposal which indicates relevance to reservoir fisheries science in the southeastern United States.

4.       Provide a letter of introduction and recommendation from the applicant’s major professor or faculty advisor. This letter should state how long and in what capacity they have known the applicant. In addition, the letter should address the applicant’s promise as a future fisheries scientist. It should be submitted via email to the scholarship committee chair (see info above).

5.       After the deadline has passed, the review committee will rank the compiled information for the applicants and present their selection to the RC Chair for approval. Scholarship recipients will be notified upon RC Chair approval and are encouraged to attend the Spring SDAFS meeting to present their research and be recognized.

Jeremy M. Shiflet

Fisheries Biologist

Northwest Fishery District 

Kentucky Dept. Fish & Wildlife

1398 Highway 81 N.

Calhoun, KY 42327

p. 270-273-3117

f. 270-273-3568

Did you know... Department of Fish and Wildlife receives NO state tax dollars and manages wildlife for all citizens?