A necessary aspect of providing WSU undergraduates a quality hands-on, experiential introduction to the practice of science is the procurement of funds to support their investigations. The LRSC has been successful in securing funds from state and federal agencies (nearly $200,000 from the National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency, Minnesota and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources). WSU has also been supportive ($32,500) through professional improvement funds and the WSU Foundation.
Another significant contribution to the efforts of students in the LRSC has been the establishment of the Thomas Wayne Schultz Memorial Scholarship. Tom was a WSU alumnus who later worked in aquatic ecology. Tom's father, Joe Schultz, established the scholarship ($2,000/year) to help students working in the LRSC to fulfill their dream of graduating with practical experience in aquatic ecology.
While this support has greatly enhanced the opportunities for students studying in the LRSC, continued support is needed to provide students a fuller range of experience in an increasingly competitive market. An account has been established with the WSU Foundation to help the Large River Studies Center reach their goals for providing students doing research through the LRSC to attain their goals and dreams. Some of the desired goals through this fund include:
Student Travel to
Scientific Meetings - participation at meetings gives
students the opportunity to present their work to a broader audience,
increasing their exposure to possible post-graduate opportunities
Student Research Stipends
- Students today are often required to work many hours, reducing the time
available to maximize their educational opportunities. Stipends
provide support so that students can focus their energies on their studies
both in the classroom and in the LRSC.
Experimental Research Site
- Students gain tremendous experience performing natural studies, but many
of the investigations relating to environmental issues are done in
experimental settings where conditions can be manipulated. This allows
for determination of short- and long-term effects of changes to the
environment on plants and animals living within large rivers. An
experimental site, consisting of large channels receiving water from the
Upper Mississippi, has been proposed for experimental studies on the
river. Located on Latsch Island, the site would also be made available
to middle and secondary school students in the area who have science fair
questions on relevant river issues. The estimated cost of building
this site is $80,000.
Equipment and Supplies - Equipment used for studying the river does not come check. A dissolved oxygen meter costs $800; a meter to measure the rate of flow costs $3,000. Instrumentation to measure water quality and chemical content in the river costs up to $45,000. The LRSC has been able to obtain the "smaller" pieces of equipment; however, it has become increasingly difficult to request more expensive equipment through state and federal funding sources. These items are essential to the competitiveness of our graduates as these are the types of equipment they would use in post-graduate situations. Practical experience with them as an undergraduate would enhance the desirability of our graduates tremendously.
Interested in Supporting the LRSC?
Support of the efforts of the LRSC at any level is greatly appreciated. If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution to support student educational opportunities through the Large River Studies Center, contact the WSU Foundation at 507-457-5020.