The Dr. Paul Nelson Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a student-climber who exemplifies the passion that defined Paul’s life and contributions to the New River Gorge region.
The selected student will be asked to create and present a project to help others learn about and care for the important outdoor recreational resources available in the New River Gorge National Park and the surrounding region.
To get a better sense of what a great human, friend, and artist that Paul was, we encourage each candidate to read the memorial article published in Climbing magazine, click here.
DETAILS: Amount Awarded: $1,000 Application Deadline: June 1st, 2023
CRITERIA:
Student must be a climber who regularly visits the New River Gorge National Park and associated climbing areas (Meadow River Gorge, Summersville Lake).
Student must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (please include a copy of your transcript or grade report).
Student must be a United States citizen or resident alien.
Student must be enrolled on a full-time basis as an undergraduate or full/part-time basis as a graduate student. Preference will be given to students with history, music, teaching, or outdoor recreation majors, although all disciplines will be considered.
RECIPENT REQUEST: We are requesting that the recipient of this scholarship prepare a project and/or presentation that will help others learn about and care for the important outdoor recreational resources available in the New River Gorge.
Examples of potential projects include: presentations at a local climbing or university gym, photo essays of Leave No Trace (LNT) principles, or a published letter to the Editor of a local newspaper.
We encourage each applicant to use their imagination regarding methods of outreach. We are hopeful this can be done in conjunction with the New River Alliance of Climbers. We believe this project will help carry on Paul’s legacy.
HOW TO APPLY: Applicants may complete this form by hand or, preferably, use it as a template for emailed applications.
Completed applications must be signed and postmarked or emailed to the New River Alliance of Climbers by June 1st, 2023 to the address and/or email listed below.
Any application postmarked after that date will not be considered. Recipients of the scholarship will be notified by August 1st, 2023.
New River Alliance of Climbers RE: Dr. Paul Nelson Memorial Scholarship PO Box 145 Fayetteville, WV 25840 NRACscholarships@gmail.com