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Alice Foster Scholarship

A generous donor started the Alice Foster Environmental Studies Award in 2007.  The scholarship provides a graduating student with $1000 toward their future education in an environmental field. Elise LaVanaway was the first recipient of the award, presented to her as a surprise at Spring 2007 graduation.  Here is Elise's thank you letter / progress report to the donor.

December 2, 2007

Elise LaVanaway

461 N. Van Buren St.

Moscow, ID 83843

elise@lavanaway.org

 

 

Dear Scholarship Donor,

Thank you very much for your contribution to my continuing education in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology at the University of Idaho.  I am proud to be the first recipient of the Alice Foster Environmental Studies Scholarship Award.

             

I have almost completed my first semester at University of Idaho, and I am happy to say that it has been both challenging and rewarding.  This semester has been a learning experience for me, as I was unsure if my skills as a student were up to the four-year college level. I have found that I am more than up to the challenge, due to the preparation I received at Feather River College.  I have learned how to further improve my writing skills, especially in regards to writing at a scientific journal level (one of my professors was an editor for a wildlife journal for many years).  I have also had to work on my study skills, and learn how to prioritize my time. I feel very confident going into finals, mainly because I have solid A’s in all my courses, but also because I have been certain that I have what it takes to do well academically.

The scholarships I have received in order to help with my education, especially the Alice Foster Environmental Studies Scholarship Award, have made this first semester easier than it would have been otherwise.  Due to this support, I was able to pay for my tuition and other living expenses so that I did not require a job. This is the first time in more than seven years that I have been able to attend school without working, and this is reflected in my grades and the time I have to spend on schoolwork and other valuable activities, like fieldtrips and joining student groups that relate to my field.

In August, I moved from California to Idaho, and I discovered that moving out of state is not only a considerable endeavor, but also requires a large financial investment.  Part of my scholarship went to pay for the moving truck, gas and towing dolly. 

I truly appreciate the financial assistance provided by this scholarship.  Paying for college is one of the hardest parts of getting a degree, and through the generous donations of scholarships like this I have been able to focus on my education without having to worry about how I will pay for school.

Sincerely,

 

Elise LaVanaway

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