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Department Scholarships
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The Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Administration department awards up to nine RPL student scholarships each year. Both undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in one of the four recreation concentrations or completing graduate work within the department are eligible for these scholarships. Three of the scholarships were established to honor past faculty and staff within the department with funding provided primarily by alumni donations.

Nine scholarships are available: four for undergraduate students, two for graduate students.

2009 RPL Scholarship Winners !

Click Here to see the scholarship winners

Circle Michigan Scholarship Presentations

 

LaMott Smith Award

LaMott Smith was a beloved member of the CMU family, who passed away suddenly in May 2008. LaMott's passing left a void in the hearts of many CMU students, faculty, staff and community members. 
In the spring of 2009, through a series of fundraising efforts and the open hearts of LaMott's friends and family members, the LaMott Smith Award was established to assist a Central Michigan student pursuing a sports-related major in paying for his or her education. The goal in establishing this award was to maintain LaMott's personality and contributions to the lives of the people he touched for years after his passing. 
The LaMott Smith Award is a scholarship to be awarded annually in the amount of a one-time $1,000 award credited to a student's CMU account toward the end of the Fall semester.

Eligibility Factors: 
To be eligible for the LaMott Smith Award students must:

  1. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher
  2. Enrolled in a major within the department of Physical Education & Sport or Recreation, Parks & Leisure Services

How to Apply:

  1. Download and Read the  LaMott Smith Award Application The linked document is a Word Document file
  2. Applicants for the scholarship must submit an  electronic copy of their resume as well as answers to the questions in the document  by September 30 in order to be considered for the award. 
    All applications should be emailed to 

    Gary Baker at  baker2gj@cmich.edu 
    Any questions, please call Gary at 989-774-3689

 

RPL Department Scholarship

The RPL Department Scholarship was established in 1988 as a way for the department to recognize outstanding undergraduate students within the RPL curriculum. Candidates for the award are evaluated on the quality of their academic performance along with demonstrated leadership in the leisure services field. Up to four scholarships of $500 each are awarded annually.

Eligibility Factors: 
To be eligible for the RPL Departmental Scholarship students must:

  1. Have a signed RPL major
  2. Have completed eight hours of RPL coursework
  3. Demonstrate a 3.0 overall GPA in RPL coursework
  4. Have not received this award previously

How to Apply:

  1. Download and complete the  RPL Department Scholarship Application The linked document is a Word Document file
  2. Download and have faculty member complete the  Faculty Recommendation form The linked document is a Word Document file
  3. Mail all required materials from the prior steps no later than the  February 15, 2010 deadline to:

    Central Michigan University
    Scholarship Review Committee
    RPL Department
    Finch 214
    Mount Pleasant, MI 48859

 

G. Patrick Doyle Prize

The G. Patrick Doyle Prize was established as an undergraduate award in 1990 in honor of a former educator and friend of students in the RPL department. Pat Doyle founded our present internship program and was the first director of the Center for Leisure Services. He stressed the importance of preparing students both academically and practically. Pat viewed the internship as a cumulative experience that provided all students with the ability to succeed. Candidates for this award are evaluated on their potential for and demonstrated leadership in the leisure services field. Up to three awards of $500 each are presented annually.

Eligibility Factors: 
To be eligible for the G. Patrick Doyle Prize students must:

  1. Be presently engaged in an internship experience or planning to begin an internship during the calendar year of application
  2. Have a signed major in the RPL Department
  3. Have not received this award previously

How to Apply:

  1. Download and complete the  G. Patrick Doyle Prize Application The linked document is a Word Document file
  2. Download and have faculty member complete the  Faculty Recommendation form The linked document is a Word Document file
  3. Mail all required materials from the prior steps no later than the  February 15, 2010 deadline to:

    Central Michigan University
    Scholarship Review Committee
    RPL Department
    Finch 214
    Mount Pleasant, MI 48859

 

Ron & Susan Bacon Outdoor Recreation Award

The Ron & Susan Bacon Outdoor Recreation Award was established by Ron Bacon in 2007 in honor of his parents, Ronald R. and Sophia Bacon. This annual scholarship of $500 will be awarded to a Central Michigan University student that meets the criteria listed here and is chosen by the RPL Awards Committee.

Eligibility Factors: 
To be eligible for the Ron & Susan Bacon Outdoor Recreation Award students must:

  1. Have a signed major in the outdoor recreation concentration
  2. Have reached the ranking of Junior, having earned a minimum of 56 credit hours
  3. Be returning to Central Michigan University in the Fall of the application year

How to Apply:

  1. Download and complete the  Ron & Susan Bacon Outdoor Recreation Award The linked document is a Word Document file
  2. Download and have faculty member complete the  Faculty Recommendation form The linked document is a Word Document file
  3. Mail all required materials from the prior steps no later than the  February 15, 2010 deadline to:

    Central Michigan University
    Scholarship Review Committee
    RPL Department
    Finch 214
    Mount Pleasant, MI 48859

 

Donald F. Lutz Prize

The Donald F. Lutz Prize was established in 1993 to honor an educator who was the initiator and leader for courses in facility and park planning at Central Michigan University. Dr. Lutz was on the CMU faculty for 16 years, the Eastern Michigan University faculty for six years, and a community recreation practitioner for seven years. Candidates for this award are graduate students who demonstrate outstanding potential for or leadership in the leisure field. One award of $750 is available annually.

Eligibility Factors: 
To be eligible for the Donald F. Lutz Prize students must:

  1. Be enrolled as a graduate student with a signed program plan in the RPL Department
  2. Have successfully completed (B- or above) nine hours of RPL graduate credit
  3. Exhibit potential for outstanding leadership in the leisure field
  4. Have not received this award previously

How to Apply:

  1. Download and complete the  Donald F. Lutz Prize Application The linked document is a Word Document file
  2. Download and have faculty member complete the  Faculty Recommendation form The linked document is a Word Document file
  3. Mail all required materials from the prior steps no later than the  February 15, 2010 deadline to:

    Central Michigan University
    Scholarship Review Committee
    RPL Department
    Finch 214
    Mount Pleasant, MI 48859

 

Agnes B. Rainwater Award

The Agnes B. Rainwater Award was established in 1994 in honor of an educator who for four years gave of herself to improve the quality and academic standards of the RPL graduate program. Under her leadership, new courses were developed and a graduate handbook and flier were produced. Dr. Rainwater also developed and taught new courses in Leisure Education, Drug & Alcohol Dependency, Evaluation in Recreation & Leisure Services, and Issues in Leisure. Her retirement from Central Michigan University culminated 27 years of teaching at Eastern Michigan University, the University of Nebraska, Eastern Montana College, University of Oregon, and University of Northern Colorado. Candidates for this award are graduate students who demonstrate outstanding scholarly activity.

Eligibility Factors: 
To be eligible for the Agnes B. Rainwater Award students must:

  1. Be enrolled as a graduate student with a signed program plan in the RPL Department
  2. Have successfully completed (B- or above) nine hours of RPL graduate credit
  3. Have the thesis scholarly option application completed and signed by all committee members or provide documentation detailing scholarly activity in the field (i.e. research; grants; articles)
  4. Have not received this award previously

How to Apply:

  1. Download and complete the  Agnes B. Rainwater Award Application The linked document is a Word Document file
  2. Download and have faculty member complete the  Faculty Recommendation form The linked document is a Word Document file
  3. Mail both forms from the prior steps no later than the  February 15, 2010 deadline to:

    Central Michigan University
    Scholarship Review Committee
    RPL Department
    Finch 214
    Mount Pleasant, MI 48859

 

William Brehm Tourism Scholarship

The William Brehm Tourism Scholarship was established by the Mount Pleasant Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors in 2007 in honor of Mr. Brehm for his dedication to the tourism industry in Isabella County. This annual scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded by the Mount Pleasant Area Convention & Visitors Bureau to a Central Michigan University student that meets the criteria listed here and is chosen by the MPACVB's Awards Committee.

Eligibility Factors: 
To be eligible for the William Brehm Tourism Scholarship students must:

  1. Be majoring in the tourism related field of study; Marketing & Hospitality or Recreation, Parks & Leisure
  2. Have reached ranking of Junior, having earned a minimum of 56 credit hours
  3. Have a GPA of no less that 3.00
  4. Be enrolled at Central Michigan University in the Fall of 2008
  5. Have a signed Major in Marketing & Hospitality or recreation, Parks & Leisure

How to Apply:

  1. Download and complete the  William Brehm Tourism Scholarship form The linked document is a Word Document file
  2. Download and have faculty member complete the  Faculty Recommendation form The linked document is a Word Document file
  3. Mail all required materials from the prior steps no later than the  March 31, 2010 deadline to:

    Chris Rowley, Executive Director
    Mount Pleasant Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
    144 E Broadway
    Mount Pleasant, MI 48858

 

MRPA Scholarship

Each year Michigan Recreation and Park Association presents Scholarship and Internship Awards to outstanding Park and Recreation students who attend Michigan colleges and universities.  Every student is encouraged to become a member of MRPA and apply for either a scholarship or an internship award.

Eligibility Factors: 
To be eligible for the MRPA Scholarship students must:

  1. Be an MRPA member (application available online  here)
  2. Be enrolled in a Michigan University or College
  3. Have completed a minimum of 9 credits in Recreation at time of application

How to Apply:

  1. Download and complete the  MRPA Scholarship form The linked document is a Word Document file
  2. Download and read the  MRPA Scholarship Application Requirements The linked document is a Word Document file
  3. Download and read the  MRPA Scholarship Information The linked document is a Word Document file
  4. Download and read the  MRPA Student Member Scholarship Opportunity The linked document is a Word Document file
  5. Mail all required materials from the prior steps no later than the  February 17, 2010 deadline to:

    MRPA
    2465 Woodlake Circle
    Suite 180
    Okemos, MI 48864
    517.485.9888

 

Rebecca McCann Scholarship

The Rebecca McCann Scholarship was developed in effort to seek a strong leader among the scholarship applicants.

Eligibility Factors: 
To be eligible for the Rebecca McCann Scholarship students must:

  1. TBA...

How to Apply:

  1. Download and complete the  Rebecca McCann Scholarship form The linked document is a Word Document file
  2. Download and have faculty member complete the  Faculty Recommendation form The linked document is a Word Document file
  3. Mail all required materials from the prior steps no later than the  February 17, 2010 deadline to:

    Chris Rowley, Executive Director
    Mount Pleasant Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
    144 E Broadway
    Mount Pleasant, MI 48858