William G. McGinnies Graduate Scholarship in Arid Lands Studies

A Graduate Scholarship in Arid Lands Studies was established in 1985 by the faculty of the Office of Arid Lands Studies, University of Arizona, in honor of Dr. William G. McGinnies, our founder. The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage and support outstanding doctoral students whose research interests follow in the historic tradition of the Carnegie Desert Botanical Laboratory (see W. G. McGinnies, 1981, Discovering the Desert: Legacy of the Carnegie Desert Botanical Laboratory, University of Arizona Press). Scientists working at the Carnegie Desert Laboratory made significant contributions to the study of the vegetation, biogeography, palynology and paleobotany, physiological ecology, demography, and taxonomy of the Sonoran Desert and surrounding areas. The intent of the McGinnies Graduate Scholarship is to provide additional support to graduate students whose dissertations concern physical and biological processes in the world's arid and semiarid lands. The annual scholarship award is $1,000 and is celebrated with a luncheon at the historic Arizona Inn.

 

Eligibility:  Any University of Arizona doctoral student is eligible. All recipients must be approved by the Office of Student Financial Aid.

 

Selection Criteria:  Award is made on the basis of materials submitted by applicants, which (1) indicates their achievements and future as scholars, and (2) demonstrates clear relevance to fundamental and practical understanding of ecosystem dynamics and management in arid and semiarid lands. Although we welcome all applicants, these criteria have tended to favor students who are further along in their course of study.

 

Application:  Applications should consist of (1) a letter of application of no more than 1000 words describing the student's research interests, their achievements to-date, and a concise description of their dissertation research and its broader relevance; (2) a curriculum vitae; and (3) two letters of recommendation (including one from the major advisor). It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that letters are received before the application deadline.

 

 

See previous recipients, with their dissertation topics, subsequent careers, and current whereabouts.

 

Deadline:  Applications are reviewed annually and begin on December 1st.

 

Send materials to:
Dr. Charles Hutchinson
E-mail: chuck@ag.arizona.edu

Office of Arid Lands Studies, University of Arizona
1955 E. Sixth Street, P.O. Box 210184
Tucson, AZ  85719
Tel: 621-8568 or 621-8567