Muter Outdoor Fund Announces 2018 John A. Muter Memorial Scholarship Recipients
The Muter Outdoor Fund is pleased to announce the first three recipients of its inaugural John A. Muter Memorial Scholarship. The new scholarship recognizes college undergraduates who are committed to engaging new audiences and new generations with Michigan’s natural resources and rich outdoor heritage. The program was established in memory of the late John Muter, an avid Michigan sportsman, who passed away in 2016 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
The winners were selected from a highly-qualified pool of 23 applicants, representing eight
Michigan colleges and universities. Recipients were selected for their clear passion for Michigan and its outdoor opportunities as well as their demonstrated commitment of introducing others to those opportunities, such as fishing, hunting, camping, boating and wildlife watching. Each winner received a $1,000 scholarship to support her 2018-2019 academic expenses.
Our three winners for 2018 include:
Jennifer Digna
Alpena, Michigan • Northwood University
Jennifer is driven by her passion for improving the lives of youth in northern Michigan. For the past eight years, she has been working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Alpena leading fishing, recycling, and other nature-based activities for hundreds of youth in the area. Jennifer received her associate degree in Business Administration from Alpena Community College in May 2018 and is now continuing her education at Northwood.
Samantha Lobdell
Harrison, Michigan • Central Michigan University
Merging her interests in natural resources and outdoor recreation, Samantha is committed to helping others find a lasting connection to the outdoors. In 2017 she developed and led the very first public nature program at Wilson State Park in her hometown of Harrison. In summer 2018, she expanded that park’s outreach efforts through leading nature hikes, fishing, and other programs with families visiting the park.
Mallory Verch
Waterford, Michigan • Michigan State University
Mallory is entering her senior year in the Department of Fisheries & Wildlife at Michigan State University. At MSU, she serves as the president of the Fisheries & Wildlife Club, plays violin in the MSU Concert Orchestra, and participates in several other student organizations. She has also been actively involved in several wildlife-related research projects, ranging from conducting deer surveys in East Lansing to working as a black bear research technician in
Nevada.
About the Muter Outdoor Fund
The Muter Outdoor Fund is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, established to provide scholarships, grants and programs that promote outdoor recreation and celebrate Michigan's natural resources and rich outdoor heritage. Our first program, the John A. Muter Memorial Scholarship, recognizes college undergraduates who, like John, have demonstrated their commitment to introducing new audiences to fishing, hunting, and other forms of outdoor recreation in Michigan.
To learn more about the Muter Outdoor Fund and how you can support our scholarship program, please visit our website www.muteroutdoorfund.org or e-mail us at muteroutdoorfund@gmail.com.
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