Central Iowa Chapter of the National Weather Association Scholarships

Central Iowa Chapter of the National Weather Association Scholarships
Central Iowa Chapter of the National Weather Association Scholarships

Central Iowa Chapter of the National Weather Association Scholarships

2024 Pam Daale Memorial Scholarship in Broadcast and Operational Meteorology Application

The Central Iowa Chapter of the National Weather Association is sponsoring a scholarship in memory of broadcast meteorologist Pam Daale in the amount of $1500. Application materials must be received by Friday, March 1st, 2024. The recipient will be notified around March 15th.

Pam Daale was best known as a television meteorologist at KMGH in Denver, but had numerous ties to Iowa. She was born and raised in Iowa, graduated from Iowa State University, and first worked at WOI-TV (Now ABC5 in Des Moines). Pam was an extremely popular meteorologist who courageously overcame adversity to not only succeed in her career but to help others. A horseback-riding accident at age 16 left her paraplegic, but this did not stop her from becoming a popular broadcast meteorologist. Later, as she fought cancer for nearly two years before her death in April 2004, she used her experiences to educate her viewers about the disease. In every aspect of her life, she had a tremendously positive impact on those around her. Her courage, strength, and concern for others, springing from a deep faith in God, should inspire us all.

Eligibility: The $1,500 scholarship is available to all full-time students pursuing a career in broadcast or operational meteorology, having a sophomore or junior status at the time of the chapter’s annual conference on March 27-29, 2024 in Ankeny, IA and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0-point scale). The selectee is strongly encouraged to attend the conference in person, and will receive up to $250 stipend for travel and lodging, and the conference registration fee will be waived.

Click here to apply!

2024 Tim Samaras Scholarship in Research Meteorology Application

The Central Iowa Chapter of the National Weather Association is sponsoring a scholarship in memory of tornado researcher Tim Samaras in the amount of $1500. Application materials must be received by Friday, March 1st, 2024. The recipient will be notified around March 15th.

Tim Samaras was a world-famous engineer, inventor, and tornado researcher who had very close ties to our NWA Chapter. His presentations were always a highlight of the annual Severe Storm and Doppler Radar conferences since he first volunteered to speak in 2003. After that time, he was frequently an invited speaker at the conferences, often revealing to our audiences jaw-dropping video of tornadoes and lightning that was being seen by the general public for the first time. Of even greater impact to our chapter and the conference attendees than his ground-breaking scientific discoveries was his kind, approachable, and encouraging spirit. Numerous stories have been told of young students attending the conference being stunned that Tim treated them as equals, willing to answer their questions. Tim had a passion to create the next generation of scientists, which was evident in his use of student teams as a part of the TWISTEX project during the period 2006-2011. Because of his passion for both the atmosphere and for students, we can think of no better way to honor his memory than to create this award to encourage students to pursue research and communicate it to the atmospheric science community.

Eligibility: The $1,500 scholarship is available to all full-time students pursuing a career in research meteorology, having a sophomore or junior status at the time of the chapter’s annual conference on March 27-29, 2024 in Ankeny, IA and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0-point scale). The selectee is strongly encouraged to attend the conference in person, and will receive up to $250 stipend for travel and lodging, and the conference registration fee will be waived.

Click here to apply!