Three military veterans plus two dependents of military veterans, all lauded already for their first academic steps toward careers as professional geoscientists, have been selected as this year’s recipients of the AAPG Foundation’s Deana and Paul Strunk Military Veterans Scholarships.
The 2024 recipients and their schools are:
- Kathleen Hulguin, U.S. Army, University of California, Berkeley.
- Emma Johnson, dependent-U.S. Navy (retired), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.
- Wilson Garland, specialist, U.S. Army, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colo.
- Grace White, dependent-sergeant, U.S. Army, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.
- Joseph Moll, sergeant, U.S. Army National Guard, Illinois State University, Normal, Ill.
They become the 54-58th recipients of the Foundation’s MVSP, whose first scholarships were awarded in 2015, and the highest number of awardees for a given year since 2019.
The MVSP is among the AAPG Foundation’s most popular and respected initiatives, which Foundation chair Jim McGhay said they are “proud and excited” to provide.
Through the MVSP, the Foundation annually awards scholarships of $5,000 to both active U.S. military service members (including National Guard and Reserves) or honorably discharged veterans who are entering or re-entering a post-secondary undergraduate program in the field of geoscience fulltime or parttime. (Parttime students receive $2,500.)
The scholarships are awarded to cover the costs of attending a four-year accredited college or university, helping in their transition to a civilian career in the geosciences.
Eligibility also includes dependents (spouses and children) of military personnel who are deceased, disabled, active and veteran.
“These outstanding recipients and their families already have sacrificed so much for their country … and now they seek careers in the geosciences, the bedrock for society,” McGhay said, “and we believe they will continue to serve their communities and societies through their studies and subsequent careers in the geoscience.
“We are proud of these very fine students, and very happy to help them achieve their geoscience dreams,” he said.
“Returning to the academic world isn’t an easy task, so being able to provide this kind of support is good for them and worthy of the Foundation’s mission of providing for a strong geoscience future.
“As always, we remember and thank Paul and Deana Strunk for their dedication and inspiration in the creation of this important program,” he added, “as well as the many who continue to support this initiative with their gifts to the Foundation.”
A Closer Look
These annual awards are determined by the Foundation’s MVSP Committee, this year headed by Doug Behseresht, and approved by the Foundation Trustees. Other committee members this year included Kenneth Helmold, Clay Westbrook and Earl Wells.
When the committee members consider applicants for MVSP recognition, two factors are important.
One is financial need, of course, and this year’s recipients all noted the next step of their education would be difficult if not impossible without the Foundation’s support.
But also considered is the quality of the applicant’s past work as well as their potential for geoscience excellence.
Of that, each of the recipients’ record speaks for itself.
- Kathleen Hulguin is an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran (sergeant) who received several certificates of achievement during her stint, and was part of the All-Army Women’s Volleyball team in 2019.
Hulguin also is being honored this year with the Jack C. and Catherine I. Threet Named Grant for receiving the highest score on her application.
Currently a geology major at the University of California, Berkeley, Hulguin’s goal is to be a California Certified Professional Geologist specializing in public transportation and environmental remediation.
“Engaging in public outreach will also be a vital component of my future responsibilities,” she said. “I aspire to contribute to sustainable transportation infrastructure and foster community understanding and empowerment in geological and environmental protection.”
- Emma Johnson, a dependent of a retired U.S. Navy veteran, is a geology student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill:
Her MVSP award is helping her participation in the school’s Juneau Ice Research Program, a “rigorous and demanding experience” that typically leads to further independent research.
She has been hailed by her department chair for both her academic record as well as her leadership qualities, who said her “strengths are her intelligence and drive … Emma is a top student in a program that regularly produces strong students.”
- Wilson Garland is a specialist with the U.S. Army National Guard – he joined with his parents’ permission on his 17th birthday – and a geology and geological engineering student at the Colorado School of Mines, Boulder, Colo.
“My main interest is in the mining sector,” Garland said. “My goal is to become an exploration geologist.”
Praised by his instructors for his work ethic, academic achievements and dedication to the geosciences, his leadership is evident in his “interest in helping others” to improve their geoscience education.
- Grace White, the daughter of a U.S. Marines veteran who retired in 2023, is a geosciences major (with a concentration in geology) at Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.
She became “fascinated” with geology and environmental sciences as an eighth-grader, and believes the geosciences hold the key to a better future for the world.
“I recognize the importance of economic and resource advancement, and must reconcile it with the importance of environmental conservation and preservation,” she said.
Her university professors call her among the finest department’s “finest students, both academically and personally,” who is “outgoing, enthusiastic and determined to be a geologist.”
- Joseph Moll is a sergeant with the U.S. Army National Guard – he joined in 2017 – who was deployed to Afghanistan and participated in NATO’s exercise “Dynamic Front” in Ankara, Turkey. His military honors include an Army Commendation (with combat device), a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and an Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with Campaign Star).
He also is a geology major (senior) at Illinois State University, Normal, Ill., with plans to pursue his master’s degree in geology.
“After completing my graduate studies, I would like to work in a state Geological Survey as a research geologist,” he said.
Praised by his professors for his communication skills, Moll already “excels at field work,” is technologically savvy and is ambitious about his career in geology.
Would you like to support veterans’ pursuit of a career in the geosciences?
For more information about the MVSP, or other Foundation programs, visit: foundation.aapg.org.