Recreation Management & Leadership Scholarships

Scholarship Deadline

The deadline to apply for scholarships is April 19th, 2024 (except for the Jake Merrill Fund for Outdoor Leadership, Safety and Training scholarship; due January 19th).  Please see Jake Merrill link for application details.

These scholarships will be awarded for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Recreation Management and Leadership majors may apply for six departmental scholarships and one training award available through Health and Human Development (see below for descriptions and criteria).  They may also apply for scholarships within the college and university.  Scroll down for submission requirements and forms.

Departmental Tuition Fee Waiver Scholarship – 1, 2 or 3 awards

This scholarship is funded by Western through the Western Washington University Foundation (contingent on funding).

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

  • Declared major in Community Health, P-12 Physical Education, Recreation, or Kinesiology in the fall term of the year in which they receive the award. At the time of application the student must be a major or a pre-major in the Department of Health and Human Development
  • Essay demonstrating participation in university and/or community/school major-related programs and activities
     

Double-Eagle III Scholarship

The Double-Eagle III Scholarship was made possible by the generosity of Captain Margit Loser and Captain Frances Frazier. The Double-Eagle III Scholarship will be awarded to the student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and potential through professional experience, or volunteer activities in the service of others. Preference will be given to Recreation Majors.

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

  • Students majoring in the Health and Human Development Department, with preference to students whose emphasis is on Recreation
  • Demonstration of leadership qualities through professional experiences, or volunteer activity in the service of others
  • Recipients must be U.S. citizens

This scholarship is awarded by the Chair of the Health and Human Development Department or his/her designee.
 

Jake Merrill Fund for Outdoor Leadership, Safety and Training

The Jake Merrill Fund for Outdoor Leadership, Safety and Training was established to honor Jake Merrill’s commitment to education and quality outdoor leadership. Awards will be made annually to students who demonstrate financial need, potential in the area of outdoor leadership, and a commitment to the development of community through outdoor engagement.

The purpose of these training awards is to provide support for students at Western Washington University who are interested in further developing their outdoor leadership skills, especially in the area of wilderness medical training, avalanche training and awareness, and high angle rescue. The award recipients will receive one of three opportunities:

  1. One course in Wilderness as a First Responder at WWU,
  2. One course in avalanche training, or
  3. One course in high angle rescue.

The scholarships are made possible by Mt. Baker Mountain Guides (John Minier, owner), North Cascades Mountain Guides (Larry Goldie, owner), and the Jake Merrill Program Endowment.

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

A short essay that addresses the criteria in Jake Merrill Outdoor Leadership Training Awards

Jake Merrill Outdoor Leadership Scholarship

This scholarship was established to honor Jake Merrill’s commitment to education and to quality outdoor leadership. Each year an award will be made to a student(s) who demonstrated financial need, potential in the area of outdoor leadership, and a commitment to the development of community through outdoor engagement.

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

  • A completed scholarship application form
  • A short essay addressing the following criteria (not to exceed 1000 words):
    • Outstanding potential in the field of outdoor leadership
    • Financial need
    • A commitment to using outdoor leadership to develop and foster a strong sense of community
  • Minimum GPA 3.0
  • Three letters of recommendation (may not be a Recreation faculty member)

This scholarship is awarded by the Health and Human Development Department or his/her designee.
 

Manfred and Diane C. Parker Endowment Scholarship

This scholarship endowment is to provide support for students in the Health and Human Development Department.

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

  • HHD major interested in wellness, fitness and health promotion

  • Academic performance may be a consideration, but need not be an only factor
  • Preference given to students who, in the judgment of faculty, will make an enduring contribution to professions that support preventative approaches for maintaining health and fitness

This scholarship is awarded by the Health and Human Development Department or his/her designee.
 

Recreation Management and Leadership Legacy Scholarship

(For Recreation Management and Leadership Majors While on Their Internship)

This scholarship honors students in previous phases who have made continuing contributions to the fund to help offset the costs associated with recreation majors’ internships. Over the past several years, Phase IV students have raised over $13,000 for the Legacy Scholarship fund though their fundraising efforts. The scholarship award for each year depends on available funds, but typically ranges from $250 to $750. Funds will be disbursed the quarter students are on their internships.

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

  • Recipient must be a Recreation Management and Leadership major
  • Successfully complete Phase II of the Recreation Management and Leadership major
  • Register for RECR 472 - Internship II 
  • Recipient must demonstrate financial need
  • Recipient must demonstrate the coherence between the internship and the applicant’s career goals. In some cases, consideration may also be given to academic history and/or phase involvement. Award decisions are made by a selection committee comprised of Recreation Management and Leadership faculty.

Willis Ball Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship honors Willis L. Ball, class of 1956, the first African American to graduate from Western Washington University in 1956.

Eligibility and Criteria includes:

 

  • Scholarship will be awarded to a student majoring in Physical Education, Community Health or Recreation
  • Recipient must be from an underrepresented racial or ethnic minority
  • Recipient must demonstrate financial need
  • Recipient must demonstrate academic promise and community service

This scholarship is privately funded, and award amount varies from year to year. The criteria may be changed by the Board of Directors of the Western Foundation.
 

Departmental Scholarship Submission Requirements

Items Submitted By You

Submit the following items in one email to:

Sue.hutchings@wwu.edu

  • Selection Form
  • Scholarship Application Form
  • Transcript (can be unofficial) from all institutions attended
  • Essays that address the required criteria for each scholarship you are applying for.  (Please see individual scholarship for essay requirements. If applying for more than one scholarship that requires an essay, you may submit all essays in one document.)

 

Item Submitted by Third Party

Please have ONE reference complete the Scholarship Recommendation Form.  (May not be from a Recreation Management and Leadership faculty member.  The faculty are aware of your application and can speak to how you reflect the spirit and criteria of the scholarship.)

If you apply for multiple scholarships, only one recommendation is required. 

Please note that the Jake Merrill Outdoor Leadership Scholarship and the Margaret Aitken Scholarship require THREE references.

Send your reference the link to this page to download the form and ask them to email the completed form to:  Sue.Hutchings@wwu.edu

 

Scholarship Recommendation Form

Additional scholarships at college and university level

Scholarship and Award Recipients

Past scholarships and awards received by Recreation Management and Leadership students.

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