Scholarship Information

DRPS offers two scholarships:

Peter D. Adams Scholarship Trust Fund
was established in 1986 as a permanent education trust. Yearly scholarships will be made from the trust’s interest and awarded to undergraduates majoring in parks and recreation. Application

William J. Hopkins Park Management Fellowship
was established in 1992 as a permanent endowment. Annual awards will be made from the endowment’s interest to qualified DRPS members to support professional education and training.

The William J. Hopkins Fellowship was established upon Bill Hopkins' retirement as Director of the State Division of Parks and Recreation in honor of his contributions and dedication to professional training and development in the field of parks and recreation. The fellowship is administered by the Delaware Recreation and Parks Society Recognition and Awards Committee.

The Hopkins Fellowship will provide an award, based on available funding, commensurate with the actual need as approved by the Committee. The award will be made for professional training programs or education. Traditional conferences or conventions alone will not receive serious consideration for this fellowship program. The award may be used for any expenses associated with the approved program such as tuition, registration, travel, lodging, meals, etc. The committee will review and approve how the recipient will use the award.

Eligibility

To be eligible, an applicant must have become an active Professional member of the Delaware Recreation and Parks Society prior to December 1, 2009. The Hopkins Fellowship is intended to focus on opportunities for young, up-and-coming professionals to receive further management training or education to enhance their professional development. Any and all DRPS professional members are encouraged to apply; however, the Committee will give preference to those members who traditionally have not had many such opportunities during their careers. The applicant and/or applicant's employer must commit to payment of the balance of any cost not covered by the award.

Fellowship Award Criteria

1. Statement of financial need

2. Progression of professional development as demonstrated by work history/resume

3. Submission of a brief; statement/essay on "Why I should be awarded this fellowship."

Application Process

1. The form must be completed by the applicant and signed by the applicant's supervisor or agency official to validate the application and, if necessary, to certify support for the remaining costs of the training not covered by the fellowship award.

2. The application form must be received no later than January 13, 2012 by
James Wagner
DRPS Recognition and Awards Committee
800 Carr Road
Wilmington, DE 19809
James.wagner @ state.de.us

3. Notification of the fellowship award will be made at the DRPS Recognition and Awards Banquet.

Application