Departmental Scholarships

The Department of Geological Sciences offers a range of scholarships intended to support students (both undergraduate and graduate) and is made possible by our generous donors. Awards will be allotted based on proven financial need and/or strong academic performance. Please read the description of the scholarships below and note that students may apply for multiple scholarships.  

Undergraduate Scholarships

Scholarships to support tuition and fees
Including field courses (e.g., GEOL 210 & GEOL 489) and other academic pursuits. Expected awards will range between $500 to $2500.

Robert D. Bentley Scholarship 

A lead gift from Michael and Jeannette Walen of Houston, Texas established the Robert D. Bentley Scholarship to benefit geology majors at Central Washington University with an interest in structural geology, field geology and/or natural resource geology. The scholarship is intended to support in-state tuition and fees to an undergraduate major in the Department of Geological Sciences.

About Robert D. Bentley

Photo of Bob

Bob Bentley taught at CWU from 1969 to 1998. Bob's field courses - both in central Washington and near Blythe, California - were legendary for their intensity, depth of knowledge, and their contribution to Bentley's ongoing field work.

The undergraduate award for superior academic performance is named after Bob Bentley, as well as a scholarship offered 2006-2017.

Nick interviewed Bob in 2011 on the Central Rocks TV show

James and Jean Hinthorne Scholarship

The Hinthorne fund was established in 2019 with a founding donation from CWU Emeritus Professor Jim Hinthorne. Funds from this award may support student participation in field-based courses that carry fees in addition to tuition. Past recipients of the Hinthorne Scholarship.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A TUITION AND FEES SCHOLARSHIP
Application Deadline: April 1

About James R. Hinthorne

Photo of Jim

Jim moved from private industry to CWU in 1980 when Geology was first established as an independent department. He served as chair from 1980-1991 and was a dedicated undergraduate advisor and mineralogist until his retirement in 2001.

The undergraduate award for service to the department is named after Jim Hinthorne, and he established the Jim and Jean Hinthorne Geoscience Undergraduate Fund in 2019 with a founding donation to support student participation in field-based courses.

In 2009, Nick interviewed Jim on Central Rocks.

Scholarships to support student research
Expected awards will range between $500 to $1500.   

Don Ringe Scholarship 

The Don Ringe fund supports student research. The funds can be used for analytical fees, gas, supplies, field expenses etc. This scholarship does not support field camp.  

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A STUDENT RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP
Application Deadline: April 1

About L. Don Ringe

Photo of Don

Don Ringe began teaching at CWU in 1968, prior to the establishment of the department, and retired in 1993. He taught a broad range of geology courses featuring his famous slide collection - each lecture was packed with visuals.

The undergraduate award for outstanding research is named for Don Ringe. In 2021, Mitch Ringe and Brad Ringe, Don’s children, established the Dr. Louis Don and Ann Ringe Endowed Grant to support undergraduate student research.

In 2011, Nick interviewed Don on the Central Rocks show.

Graduate Scholarships

GeoEngineers

The GeoEngineers Graduate Fellowship for Geology at Central Washington University is awarded up to $2500 annually by the faculty of the CWU Department of Geological Sciences to a deserving student pursuing a Master’s degree in Geosciences who has maintained high academic standards and shows interest and potential for a career in geologic consulting.

This fellowship does not accept applications from students. The faculty of the Department of Geological Sciences considers the academic records and research interests of all incoming and current CWU Geology graduate students to make the selection each year. Contact grad@geology.cwu.edu with questions.

Puget Sound Energy Scholarship

The Puget Sound Energy Graduate Fellowship is awarded up to $2500 annually to a student pursuing a Master’s degree in the CWU Department of Geological Sciences in research related to geologic hazards relevant to the Pacific Northwest. The fellowship is made possible by donations from Puget Sound Energy and several other businesses and individuals.

This fellowship does not accept applications from students. The faculty of the Department of Geological Sciences considers the academic records and research interests of all incoming and current CWU Geology graduate students to make the selection each year. Contact grad@geology.cwu.edu with questions.