Fenske Award

Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award for Outstanding Students

In Memory of Janice Lee Fenske

Past Award Recipients

Purpose: The Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award for Outstanding Students was created to recognize undergraduate and graduate students for their achievements in the fields of fisheries and wildlife management and encourage participation in the American Fisheries Society, The Wildlife Society,  and the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.

Description: The Fenske Award ceremony is held during the annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Sponsors include the North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society, the Host State and Michigan Chapters of the American Fisheries Society, the Host State and Michigan Chapters of The Wildlife Society, and the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference Steering Committee. Finalists for the Fenske Memorial Award will be selected based on academic ability and scholarly achievements and recognized with a certificate. Of the successful finalists, two students, one concentrating on fisheries and one concentrating on wildlife, will be recognized with a $750 scholarship and a plaque. The Fenske Memorial Award Scholarship winners will be selected based on their enthusiasm to protect fisheries and wildlife resources through management activities, selflessness and motivation to teach others, interest in professional involvement, and integrity, positive attitude, and compassion.

Eligibility criteria: Undergraduate and graduate students planning to attend the Midwest Fisheries and Wildlife Conference are encouraged to apply.

Documentation required:

  • A resume that includes student’s GPA.
  • One letter of recommendation submitted directly from either an academic advisor or professional in fisheries or wildlife management.
  • A one-page cover letter that discusses future career goals and reasons for attending the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.

Application materials should be sent by email to Jo Ann Alexander at AlexanderJ7@michigan.gov.
Please indicate in the email subject line either “Fenske Award- fisheries” or “Fenske Award- wildlife” (depending on your focus area).

Questions regarding the award should be sent to Jessica Mistak, Fenske Award Committee Chair, at mistakj@michigan.gov.

Award Committee Responsibilities: As part of the Fenske Memorial Award, a general call for applications from students throughout the Midwest will be developed by the Michigan Chapter of AFS and distributed via the Award sponsors. The Michigan Chapter of AFS and the Michigan Chapter of TWS will screen the applications based on academic accomplishments, select up to 25 students as finalists, and select the two scholarship winners. The Michigan chapters of AFS and TWS will each annually provide $250 towards the scholarships and will request a match for those contributions from the local chapters of AFS and TWS in the Host State. The North Central Division of AFS will contribute $500 annually with $250 earmarked for the fisheries scholarship $250 earmarked for the wildlife scholarship. The Michigan Chapter of AFS will provide plaques for the winners and certificates for the finalists.

Deadline: Please see the current year award announcement for deadlines. Applications are typically due in early December and students are notified of their selection status approximately 2 weeks prior to the Midwest Fisheries and Wildlife Conference.

Contributions: Many individuals and groups have asked how to contribute in honor of Jan Fenske.  To contribute to this award, please write a check payable to MIAFS and mail it to: Jessica Mistak, DNR Fisheries Division, 6833 US Hwy 2, 41 & M-35, Gladstone, MI 49837.  Please include a note on your check that the donation is for the Janice L. Fenske Memorial Award.