Posted: January 17, 2024

Open to juniors and seniors for the 2024-2025 academic year, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association (POWA) is offering $1,000 scholarships to full-time Penn State, University Park students.

Applications for the 2024 Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association Will Johns Scholarships are now being accepted.

This money is available from the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association (POWA) – Willard T. Johns Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund is named for Will Johns, a charter member and Past President of POWA, a professional organization of writers, photographers, artists, broadcasters, bloggers and podcasters - dedicated to informing Pennsylvanians about the wise use and management of natural resources and outdoor recreation.

Johns, a college-trained wildlife conservationist, served as editor of Pennsylvania Game News and then as an education specialist for the National Wildlife Federation before assuming his post with the Pennsylvania Fish Commission in 1968.

Consideration for these scholarships is given to students who show strong evidence of academic achievement and need for financial aid. Preference is given to those enrolled in one of the following programs at Penn State University:

Department of Ecosystem Science and Management majors:

  • Forest Ecosystem Management
  • Wildlife and Fisheries Science
  • Environmental Resource Management - Soil Science Option

The recipient must be planning a career that combines public relations and journalistic skills with an intention to apply these skills to the communication of the principles of conservation and the attractions of the out-of-doors.

Scholarship applications are available on the POWA website, www.paoutdoorwriters.com or from POWA Executive Director Paula Piatt, PO Box 885, Sayre, PA 18840, via email at ppiatt@paoutdoorwriters.com

The deadline to file the application for the 2024 award is April 1, 2024.