Environmental Studies Department Scholarships

The Department of Environmental Studies is pleased to announce several scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, to be awarded in Spring 2024. 

Don’t be shy, apply! 

• John MacElmore Scholarship ($2,000 in award funds, undergraduates students)
• Frank Schiavo Environmental Scholarship ($1,400 in award funds, undergraduate students) 
• John Luckhardt-Kiwanis Memorial Scholarship ($5,000 in award funds, graduate students) 
• David J. Powers Scholarship ($2,000 in award funds, undergraduate and graduate students)
• Richard G. Bufton Memorial Award for Environmental Toxicology ($2,000 in award funds, for undergraduate and graduate students)

Eligibility

To be eligible for any of these scholarships, you must be an enrolled student and a major in the Department of Environmental Studies with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.  

Application

For full consideration, submit all materials listed below as a single attachment by 4:00 p.m., Friday, April 19, 2024 to environmental-studies@sjsu.edu

Only complete applications will be considered, you must include the following:

1. Application Form [pdf]

2. Statement of Interest (750 words) that describes the following:  Your demonstrated commitment to environmental protection; your goals beyond college for promoting a sustainable future; any special financial needs that you may have. If you fit the priorities for a particular scholarship, be sure to mention them in your statement.

3. Brief budget showing how you would use the scholarship money. Include items such as:  Tuition fees, room and board, transportation; books and supplies, research expenses; other unmet costs associated with your education in Environmental Studies.

4. Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume 

5. Transcripts showing your GPA (unofficial transcripts are fine)

6. Name and contact information for at least one Environmental Studies faculty member willing to recommend you 

7. MS award applicants should also include a thesis project abstract (200 words, including objective and general methodological approach), as well as a general timeline to thesis completion, including major milestones.

Scholarships available for Spring '24 (most funds will be disbursed in Fall 2024)

• John L. McLemore Scholarship

  • The John L. McLemore Scholarship is awarded annually to an undergraduate environmental studies major. The intent of this scholarship is to support the education of a student who has demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to students who are the first in their families to attend a four-year university. Student applicants will have completed a minimum of 60 units by the time of the award application and be in good academic standing. 

    John McLemore received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Political Science from San Jose State University in the early 1970s. He graduated with a heavy student loan burden since he had little family financial support. Mr. McLemore obtained a part-time job while a student at SJSU that led to a very successful 38-year career in Silicon Valley's electronics industry. Mr. McLemore is an avid environmental advocate. As a member of the Santa Clara City Council, his work was foundational in the creation of Ulistac, the only dedicated natural open space in the City of Santa Clara. He has served on the Board of Directors for the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory and the Santa Clara Audubon Society. Additionally, he is an enthusiastic nature photographer.

• John Luckhardt-Kiwanis Memorial Scholarship

  • This scholarship has been created as a tribute to long-time coast redwood forest enthusiast and West San Jose Kiwanis Club member, John Luckhardt. The scholarship is intended to help support graduate student research in the Environmental Studies Department at San Jose State University. We extend our gratitude to the West San Jose Kiwanis Club, Carol Luckhardt, and the efforts of Dr. Doug Greer, 2010-2013 Kiwanis President and emeritus associate of the Environmental Studies Department, for this generous award.

• Frank Schiavo Environmental Scholarship

  • Frank Schiavo was a long-time faculty member in the Department of Environmental Studies at SJSU who inspired generations of environmentalists and educators. Few who knew him were not moved by his passion and dedication. This scholarship has been organized in Frank’s memory to support undergraduate Environmental Studies students with a demonstrated interest in activism, environmental education, green building, and other environmental fields.

    Scholarship Amount: $1,000 - $1,500 per student.

• Richard G. Bufton Memorial Award for Environmental Toxicology

  • This scholarship has been created by Mrs. Beth Bufton as a memorial to her husband, Richard. The scholarship is designed for:

    1) A graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and interest in environmental toxicology and plans to pursue this as a graduate student.
    2) A graduate student who is studying the effects of toxic chemicals on the environment and has demonstrated the potential for outstanding achievement in some field of environmental toxicology.

    
    Scholarship Amount: $1,500 - $2,000 per student.

• David J. Powers Scholarship

  • The David Powers Environmental Scholarship fund was established by the employees of David J. Powers & Associates, Inc. to honor Dave Powers, who passed away in 2008. Dave Powers was a San Jose State University graduate who was truly an environmental advocate and friend of the department. This scholarship rotates each year between Biology, Environmental Studies (ENVS), and Urban Planning.

    This year, the scholarship is available in the Environmental Studies (ENVS) department, and the award amount will be $1,500.

Deliveries

If you are selected for a scholarship, you must:

1.  Submit a personally-signed thank you letter to the Department of Environmental Studies, addressed to the scholarship provider. The letter should include information from your application essay. Materials for releasing the funds will be provided only after the letter is approved by the Department of Environmental Studies.  

2.  If awarded a Luckhardt fellowship, give a presentation on your research to the West San Jose chapter of Kiwanis International within one year of receiving funding.

For more information, please contact the department of Environmental Studies via the department Live chat service or email at environmental-studies@sjsu.edu 

*Note: The Department of Environmental Studies faculty scholarship committee reserves the right to distribute or not distribute all or part of each scholarship as it deems appropriate, within the requirements set by the founders of each award and depending on the qualifications of applicants.