OSU receives $600,000 National Science Foundation Grant for Scholarships

Oklahoma State University received the first part of a $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to improve recruitment of and graduation rates for students transferring from two-year colleges and pursuing bachelor’s degrees in the life sciences at Oklahoma State University.  The project is the result of a collaborative effort involving faculty and staff across campus.  Lead Investigator Kristen Baum (Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology), Donald French (Professor, Department of Zoology), Melissa Gentry (Senior Academic Counselor, Department of Zoology), James Hull (Senior Academic Counselor, Office for Advisement in Life Sciences and Pre-Health Professions), Charles Bruce (Senior Director, Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid), and Martha McMillian (Director, University Academic Services) are working together to provide 66 scholarships over 4 years to academically talented, financially needy students.  Scholarships to individuals will range between $6000 and $10,000 per year. Students will be provided with academic support, professional development, and optional research related activities.  The project is funded by the NSF S-STEM program and will be implemented over the next five years. A primary goal of this NSF Program is to improve recruitment and retention of students in the sciences. Moreover, it demonstrates OSU’s commitment to improving financial aid to students during these financially difficult times and its faculty’s support of the OSU Creativity Initiative.

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