Ken Cooper Memorial Scholarship
Rotary Club of Stennis Space Center

As a Charter Member and Inaugural President of the Rotary Club of Stennis Space Center, Ken Cooper has left a legacy that has spread far beyond south Mississippi and Louisiana. His leadership and guidance helped the Club to grow into a viable entity that is providing hope and assistance to numerous people within the southeastern United States. It is in Ken Cooper’s honor that we provide this undergraduate scholarship to a worthy high school graduating senior in the amount of $1,000.00.

The Ken Cooper Memorial Scholarship is provided annually on a competitive basis based upon the criteria listed below. In addition, since Ken was a Hydrographer by trade, the scholarship will take precedence to students planning careers in Hydrography or the Marine Sciences. Ken Cooper truly believed in the avenue of service, so students awarded this scholarship are expected to participate in service projects during the school year. Two projects are recommended. Finally, the student must attend at least two Rotary Club meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to become familiar with Rotary and for the student to present his or her activities to the Rotary Clubs. One of the presentations must be to the Rotary Club of Stennis Space Center, preferably at the end of the academic year.

Application Criteria:

1. Residence – The student must be graduating from a high school in Louisiana or Mississippi and must provide proof of acceptance into a college or university.

2. Essay – The students desiring to compete for the scholarship must first submit a short (1 page) essay describing themselves, their scholarship to date and any service activities within which they have participated. The student should also suggest some potential service avenues that they might pursue during their year in school.

3. Scholarship – The student should have at least a "B" average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale). Students with lower grade point averages may be accepted if they have an exceptional record of service.

4. Service – The student must provide evidence of prior community service. Exceptional amounts of community service may help offset lower grade point averages.

5. Interview – Finalists for the scholarship will be interviewed by the scholarship selection board. The interview will be an informal discussion to learn more about the applicant.

6. Additional Factors – Additional factors such as disabilities and economic disadvantages may also be considered for those applicants that might not otherwise have opportunities for scholarship. Applicants must be deemed a "good risk" in that they will likely pursue their chosen field of study.

Application packages must be submitted to the Rotary Club of Stennis Space Center at the address below no later than May 15, 2008. The Scholarship Committee, selected annually by the President of the Rotary Club of Stennis Space Center, will review all applications, conduct interviews, and select the scholarship recipient no later than May 30, 2008. The student must be able to meet their chosen university’s admission requirements.

Rotary Club of Stennis Space Center Contact:
Building 1103, Suite 143 Charlie Beasley
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529
charles.e.beasley@nasa.gov
(800) 746 – 4699

Requirements:

1. Field of Study - The student must be entering into a field of study that would support a career in either Hydrology or the Marine Sciences. Acceptable fields of study include: Biology, Geography, Mathematics, Oceanography, Physics, Marine Biology, Marine Geology, Marine Science, and Marine Technology. If another science is proposed, the student must define how the field of study relates to ocean science.

2. Service Projects - The student must participate in at least two service projects throughout the school year. These projects can be with a local Rotary Club, through a school club, or via a local charity or agency. The Student should document the project to the best of their ability through photos, notes, etc. This information will be used to create the final presentation at the end of the school year.

3. Presentations - The student must give two presentations during the year. One presentation will be to a Rotary Club local to their chosen University or College. The other presentation will be to the Rotary Club of Stennis Space Center at the end of the school year. The presentation can be of the students choosing; however, the year-end presentation must relate the experiences of the student over the past year and their impressions of the service projects in which they participated.

Award:

Award of the Ken Cooper Memorial Scholarship will occur after May 30, 2008 at a time and place determined by the President of the Rotary Club of Stennis Space Center. The recipient will receive a scholarship amount of $1,000.00 for use in school related expenses.

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