SWANA - WI Badger Chapter
AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Both SWANA National and the Badger Chapter have scholarship programs in place to promote the organization’s strategic value of industry education. The Badger Chapter typically awards up to $6,000 in scholarships in the categories listed below. An application for the Badger Chapter scholarship program serves as the application for the National program. The national application packet is available in approximately February of each year. See additional instructions below.
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The Badger Chapter also recognizes a Young Professional (YP) for his or her outstanding achievements in the solid waste industry, by granting a deserving YP with the Chapter's prestigious "YP of the Year" award. Nominations are accepted until the beginning of February and the recipient is announced at the Wisconsin Integrated Resource Management Conference (WIRMC).
SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship Categories
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Category I – Graduating high school seniors or graduate equivalent certified candidates who have been accepted for enrollment in a junior college, a four-year college, or a university (any program).
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Category II – Currently enrolled full-time college or university students who are entering their junior or senior undergraduate year and pursuing a degree in environmental science, engineering, or other suitable majors related to the field of solid waste management.
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Category III (Robert P. Stearns/SCS Engineers Award) – Full-time students who are entering or are in graduate school pursuing a degree in environmental science, engineering or other suitable major related to the field of solid waste management.
Application Form and Submittal
The scholarship application form is generally released in February. The button below offers the 2024 application form. Please click the Application Button here for more information.
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Please direct questions and submit completed application forms to:
Lee Daigle
Re: Badger Chapter Scholarship Program
Email: lee.daigle@tetratech.com
Phone: 951- 236-2526
Special Award for Badger Chapter
Brenda Lee Quinnell Rising Leader Scholarship:
Category I, II, or III students who demonstrate leadership, commitment, and passion. The recipient of this award will be forwarded for National award consideration.
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In August 2018 the solid waste and recycling
community lost one of its most devoted members.
Brenda Quinnell, director of the Adams County Solid
Waste Department, served for over 10 years as
the Wisconsin Badger Chapter’s administrative
assistant. During her years of service Brenda was
much more than an “assistant”, she was a leader.
Brenda kept chapter presidents and monthly
meetings on task, filed annual financial reports,
organized in person meetings, and played a major role in WIRM conference planning. Meleesa Johnson, Director of the Marathon County Solid Waste Department, put it best when she said, “Brenda was the glue that held [the chapter] together.”
Beyond her dedication to the chapter, Brenda was a welcoming presence. In a forum like SWANA, where many of the meetings and communications are held over the phone or via email, it can be difficult to get to know someone. That was not so with Brenda who's warm voice and kind nature traveled through the phone and email waves with each communication. Brenda guided new members through the committee structure and helped promote and organize young professional events. She was a true mentor and always willing to share her knowledge and experience.
For these reasons, and many more, the Wisconsin Badger Chapter is proud to offer the Brenda Lee Quinnell Rising Leader Scholarship.
Each year, one scholarship will be awarded to an
individual who demonstrates the following characteristics or actions through their application and essay(s):
- Searches for extra opportunities in school, community, work, or the solid waste and recycling
industry
- Inspires others through mentorship, integrity, creativity, and his or her ability to communicate
- Commitment, enthusiasm, passion, and accountability towards an organization or activity
The recipient of this award will be forwarded for consideration at the National Level.
Consideration
To be considered for either the National or State scholarship Category I programs, applicants must be the son, daughter, grandson, or granddaughter of a member in good standing (sponsor) at the time of recommendations, selection, and award. Sponsors must have been a member in good standing for a minimum of one year prior to submittal of scholarship application for consideration at the State level.
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Category II and III scholarships are open to the son, daughter, grandson, or granddaughter of SWANA members in good standing and to student members of SWANA. Student members of SWANA need not have been a SWANA member for an entire year prior to submittal of his or her scholarship application; however, student involvement in SWANA is included as part of the "Other Activities" portion of the scoring criteria.
SWANA Membership
Students can join the SWANA free of charge! This is a great way to step into the industry, meet people, and learn more about career opportunities.
State Level Scholarships
National Level Scholarships
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The Badger Chapter typically awards up to $6,000 in scholarships. The actual number of award amounts will be determined during the application review process.
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Although the applicants may not be eligible for a National level scholarship, a currently enrolled full-time student entering his or her sophomore undergraduate year may be considered for State scholarship awards if exemplary commitment to the solid waste industry and/or SWANA is demonstrated in the students application.
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Deadline for Submittal of State Scholarship Applications to the Badger Chapter: May 1st of each year.
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State scholarship awards are made in late May of each year.
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The National Level SWANA scholarship programs, which award up to $25,000 in scholarships, are open to applicants in Categories I, II, or III.
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A total of $20,000 is typically awarded in Categories I and II. The number and amounts of each scholarship will be determined by the National Scholarship Committee.
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The Robert P. Stearns/SCS Engineers Award, one scholarship of $5,000, will be awarded at the Category III level. Although Category III scholarships are not typically awarded at the State level, Category III applications will be reviewed by the Badger Chapter and forwarded for National consideration if the application criteria are met.
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An application for the Badger Chapter scholarship program automatically serves as a student's application for the National scholarship program.
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Announcements of National scholarship winners are made in July of each year.
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For more information on the National Awards, CLICK HERE.
AWARDS
Since 2015, the Badger Chapter has recognized a Young Professional (YP) on a yearly basis for his or her outstanding achievements in the resource management industry. Through a nomination process reviewed by the Chapter's Board of Directors, the selected person(s) are granted the Chapter's prestigious "YP of the Year" award.
Nominations are accepted until the beginning of February and the recipient is announced at the Wisconsin Integrated Resource Management Conference (WIRMC) and will forever hold the title of "YP of the Year"
Become SWANA-Badger Chapter's 2024 Young Professional (YP) of the Year!
Applications for YP of the Year for 2024 are no longer being accepted.
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Click here for more information.