New scholarship established for WRS program students

The Water Resources Science (WRS) program has a new scholarship to offer its students. Richard Fowler, a 1967 UM College of Forestry graduate, signed a Memorandum of Agreement on April 26, 2012, establishing the Richard M. Fowler Student Scholarship and Program support fund. The fund gives scholarships to qualified students in the WRS graduate program. In addition, at the discretion of the Water Resources Center directors, the fund also provides program support for student recruitment and retention in the Water Resources Science programs, mentoring and guidance of these students to realize their dreams and achieve their full potential, while providing opportunities for student leadership development, and assisting with job placement.

Fowler has a personal interest in water quality preservation, as water has been a focal point in his entire life. As a child he spent idyllic summers on the shore of Lake Michigan, and he and his wife Mary have lived on Lake Owasso for over 30 years. He is an avid boater, and has sailed the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. In his professional life, as the environmental manager for Andersen Windows he used his mediating skills to forge agreements between manufacturers and state and federal regulators. He served on the boards of Minnesota Environmental Initiative, and helped found the water stewardship organization Minnesota Waters.

“My hope is that supporting WRS graduate students will insure sound water resource stewardship for generations to come,” said Fowler.