Meserve Fund Scholarships Available

WILTON — Local high school seniors and graduates pursuing a college degree in the environmental sciences or a medically related field are encouraged to apply for $2,500 scholarships from The Meserve Memorial Fund before the March 1 deadline.

Students living in Bethel, Brookfield, Bridgewater, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, and Sherman may apply. Financial need is not a requirement.

Environmental sciences include agriculture, animal husbandry, ecological studies, forestry, marine biology, oceanography, and other specialties. Medically related fields of study include pre-medicine, nursing, and medical research.

Applications are available from guidance departments at greater Danbury area high schools. They can also be downloaded from the Fairfield County Community Foundation website, FCCFoundation.org. The Meserve Memorial Fund is administered by the Fairfield County Community Foundation.

“This is the second year that Meserve scholarships will be awarded to students seeking careers in medically related fields as well as the environmental sciences,” said Karl H. Epple, chair of the Meserve Memorial Fund Distribution Committee. “This new focus will help alleviate the projected local shortage of nurses and other health care professionals.”

A nationally recognized arborist during his lifetime, local businessman Albert Wadsworth Meserve was known as an active volunteer in civic and charitable activities throughout the Danbury area. The Meserve Memorial Fund was established in 1983 to further the work of Mr Meserve and his wife Helen in the Danbury region.

Decisions on grants are made by community representatives who serve on the Meserve Distribution Committee.

The fund is administered by the Fairfield County Community Foundation, headquartered in Wilton. For information, call the Fairfield County Community Foundation at 203-834-9393.