SDOU

Kenneth H. Husmann Memorial Scholarship - $900

• Application deadline: 4/15/2026    Awarded by: 9/1/2026
• A department of biology, zoology or wildlife management at a South Dakota college or university may nominate one student for the Kenneth H. Husmann Memorial Scholarship. The South Dakota Ornithologists’ Union invites each department’s participation in nominating a candidate for the 2026-2027 Academic Year for the Husmann Memorial Scholarship.
  
  During the academic year, the nominee must be a graduate student majoring in ornithology, ecology or wildlife management and must have a strong interest and ability in studying one or more of these natural science specialties.
  
  If nominees have similar academic and personal qualifications, an award will be influenced by the student’s commitment to and interest in ornithology and by South Dakota residency.
  
  The process of nomination:
  
  1. The department or appropriate departmental committee will select a worthy nominee. 
  2. The department will submit the nomination with the following supporting information: the nominee’s academic and personal worthiness, probable date for completion of the academic degree, permanent residence address, temporary school address and e-mail address. 
  3. The nominating letter should be signed by the department head and the nominee’s advisor. If the department head also is the nominee’s advisor, the second signature should be by another senior professor in the department. 
  4. The SDOU Scholarships and Awards Committee must receive the nomination by the deadline date listed above.
  5.  The scholarship award amount varies from year to year based on the fund earnings. The check for the award will be mailed directly to the winning student at his or her college or university address by the beginning of the next academic year.

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  Recipient                   University        Academic Year          Amount
  Chelsi Marolf                   USD                 2025-26             $1000.00
  NO AWARD Lack of funding                    2024-25
  Emily Macklin                 SDSU                2023-24              $950.00
  Chelsi Marolf                   USD                 2022-23             $1000.00
  Reza Goljani Amurkhiz    USD                 2021-22             $1200.00
  Stephanie Nefas              USD                 2020-21               $800.00
  Jackie Krakow                DSU/SDSU       2019-20                $800.00
  Amanda Hegg                 USD                 2018-19                $800.00
  Paige Oboikovitz             USD                 2017-18                $500.00
  Kassandra Hendricks     SDSU                2016-17              $1000.00 
  Gretchen N. Newberry     USD                 2015-16              $1000.00
  NO AWARD                                              2014-15
  Esther Balla                      USD                 2013-14               $500.00 
  Ming Liu                           USD                 2012-13               $500.00
  Jason Thiele                    SDSU                2011-12               $500.00
  Joesph Manthey             BHSU                2010-11               $500.00
  Amanda Ervin                  USD                  2009-10               $500.00
  Mitch Greer                     SDSU               2008-09                $400.00
  Madeline Schickel          SDSU                2007-08                      **
  **($200 was not awarded due to Ms. Schickel’s Completion of graduate studies)
  Nathan Thomas              USD                   2006-07                  $200.00
  Nathan Thomas              USD                   2005-06                  $200.00
  Rocco Murano               SDSU                 2004-05                  $200.00
  Jay Carlisle                     USD                   2003-04                  $230.00
  *(funds for Mr. Carlisle provided by solicitations from SDOU directors)
  Amy Lewis                       SDSU                2003-04                  $230-00
  Robert J. Anderson         SDSU                2002-03                  $500.00
  Dale Gentry                      USD                  2001-02                  $500.00
  Justin Laursen                 SDSU                2000-01                  $540.00
  Eric Liknes                         USD                1999-00                  $540.00
  Kristel Bakker                   SDSU               1998-99                  $540.00
  Natoma A. Gleason          SDSU               1997-98                  $600.00
  Susan E. Boettcher           SDSU               1996-97                 $600.00*
  *(funds for Ms. Boettcher provided by solicitations from SDOU members)
  David Naugle                     SDSU               1996-97                 $600.00
  Johnida S. Martin                USD               1995-96                  $600.00
  Kristel Bakker                     SDSU              1994-95                  $550.00
  Carmen L. Boyd                  SDSU             1993-94                  $600.00
  Curt L. Dean                         USD               1992-93                 $800.00
  Casey D. Kruse                    SDSU             1991-92                 $800.00
  Jeremy P. Smith                   SDSU             1990-91                 $780.00
  Daniel L. Reinking                SDSU             1989-90                 $800.00
  Jackie Halbritter                     DSU             1988-89                 $800.00
   

Nathaniel R. Whitney Jr. Memorial Research Grant Program - $1,000

• Application deadline: 4/1/2026    Awarded by: 5/30/2026
• SMALL RESEARCH GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR BIRD STUDY IN SOUTH DAKOTA
  
  The Nathaniel R. Whitney, Jr. Memorial Research Grant Program is administered by the South Dakota Ornithologists' Union (SDOU). Grants may be awarded to qualified graduate and upper division (junior or senior year) students majoring in ornithology, avian ecology, avian wildlife management, or an appropriately-related scientific discipline at an accredited college or university in South Dakota offering 4-year degrees in ornithology or related fields. Whitney research grants may also be awarded to other ornithologically or scientifically-qualified individuals, including amateur ornithologists. Whitney Small Grants are payable up to $1,000.
  SDOU invites applications for the 2026 summer field season. The deadline for applications is 1 April 2026. The winner will be notified by 20 April 2026. The application process is as follows:
  The application must include:
  1. The applicant’s name, address, telephone number, and information about the applicant's background and
  qualifications for doing the research.
  2. A statement of the purpose(s) and objective(s) of the research project, the methods, techniques (including any
  analytical techniques that may be used), and materials needed for the project.
  3. A statement of the amount of funding requested and the specific use of the funds in the project.
  4. The applicant's assurance that the grant will be used solely and specifically for the designated research project.
  5. The applicant’s assurance the results of the research will be presented at a paper session at SDOU Fall Meeting or
  in an acceptable article to be published in South Dakota Bird Notes or in a major ornithological or related scientific
  journal, within three years of the research.
  Other requirements:
  1. The application should be no longer than three typed pages.
  2. The applicant must arrange for two individuals to send letters of recommendation directly to the SDOU Whitney
  Small Grants Committee Chairman. The letter of recommendation should include an appraisal of the applicant’s
  personal qualities and qualifications for pursuing the proposed research. The letter should indicate the significance
  of the proposed research for the advancement of knowledge about the birds of South Dakota.
  3. Applications and letters of recommendation may be sent by e-mail to the committee chairman: Todd Jensen,
  gyrfalcon@midco.net or in triplicate by mail to: Todd Jensen 920 S. Holt Ave Sioux Falls, SD 57103
  Successful applicants will receive a check for the grant's authorized amount from the SDOU treasurer on or before
  30 May 2026.
  

David J. Holden Scholarship Fund - $500

•   
• This scholarship is awarded annually to an undergraduate student attending South Dakota State University, majoring in natural or biological science, with an interest in the environment. Application is through the Department of Natural Sciences at SDSU.

Alfred Hinds Memorial Award - $100

• Application deadline: 6/15/2026    Awarded by: 9/1/2026

• The Alfred Hinds Memorial Award for Ornithology, established in 1983, will be presented to an individual, student (high school, undergraduate, or graduate), or an organization/agency that has made a significant contribution to the advancement of ornithology in South Dakota. It may also be awarded to a special project of the South Dakota Ornithologists’ Union which needs financial support.
  
  Nominations should include: nominee’s name/address/e-mail address and phone number, nominee’s accomplishments and any supporting information (i.e. newspaper articles, remarks for co-nominators, etc.)

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  ALFRED H. HINDS PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS

  Recipient                                Year        Amount

  Nancy Drilling                        2022        $150

  Jeffery Palmer                       2022        $150

  Charlie Miller                         2019        $100

  Kelly Preheim                         2016        $100

  Amber Stout                           2012        $100

  Mickie Hortness                     2010        $100

  Bethany L. Cook                     2008        $50

  Madeline Schickle (SDSU)     2007        $50

  Julie R. DeJong (SDSU)         2001        $50

  Michael Melius                       1997        $50

  Richard Peterson                   1995        $50

  Eric Likness (USD)                 1993        $50

  Paul E. Coughlin (SDSU)        1992        $50

  Scott W. Johnson (SDSU)      1990        $50

  Dennis Skadsen                     1989        $50

  Dennis Skadsen                     1987        $50

  Peter Carrel                           1985        $50

   

Mary E. Baylor Memorial Scholarship - $2,500

• Application deadline: 4/15/2026    Awarded by: 9/1/2026
• 1. The scholarship will be restricted to an undergraduate student in his/her junior year at a South Dakota college or university.
  2. The student must be pursuing a major in biology with particular interest, in order of priority, in ornithology, ecology, wildlife management, biological education, medical practice, or medical research. 
  3. The scholarship award must be utilized as tuition during the student’s senior academic year. 
  4. The student should have a high academic grade-point average and demonstrate a strong interest in one of the major areas of study mentioned above. 
  5. The department or appropriate departmental committee or major professor will select a worthy nominee, using the guidelines mentioned above. 
  6. The department will submit the nomination with the following supporting information: the nominee’s major area of study, his/her academic and personal worthiness, probable date for completion of academic degree, permanent residence address, temporary school address and e-mail address. 
  7. The nominating letter should be signed by the department head and the nominating professor or advisor. If the department head is the nominee’s professor or advisor, the second signature should be another senior professor in the department. 
  8. Nominations must be received no later than the deadline date. The scholarship winner will be notified within a month. A check will be mailed after the start of the academic year to the winning student.

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  Mary E. Baylor Memorial Scholarship Awardees

  Recipient                        University               Academic Year       Amount

  Evan Shirley                  USD                        2025-26                  $1500

  Hannah Slattery             USD                        2024-25                  $1500

  Zoe Donelan                  USD                        2023-24                  $1500

  Elsie Aslesen                  DSU                        2022-23                  $1200

  Alexandria Nicholson    USD                        2021-22                  $1200

   Jacob Ridgeway            USD                        2020-21                  $1200

  Dylan Prusha                 NSU                        2019-20                  $1200

  Pat Taggart                    DSU                        2018-19                  $1000

  Tessa Durin                    NSU                        2017-18                  $1200

  Nicholas Antonson        Augustana               2016-17                  $1200

  Christina Renz               NSU                        2015-16                  $1200

  Don E. Poekes               USD                        2014-15                  $1200

  Leah Hiller                     Augustana               2013-14                  $1200

  Caity Reiland-Smith      Augustana               2012-13                  $1200

  Michael A. Moxnes       USD                        2011-12                  $1200

   

Mary E. Baylor Endowment Fund - $0

•   
• The purpose of the Mary E. Baylor Endowment Fund is to encourage and enhance research, scholarship, and educational projects and programs within SDOU. The annual distribution is divided into various internal awards and grants.
  

Help Fund Our Scholarships & Grants

Donations are gratefully accepted to help fund any of our programs. Please send your check to our treasurer with a note designating which fund you are gifting. Get Treasurer's Mailing Address