Dr. Roberta Smilnak Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Purpose:
The Roberta Smilnak Memorial Endowment fund was established to provide financial support to students with a desire to focus their studies within The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) at Metropolitan State University of Denver. The donor has extensive career experience and education in the areas of energy, information technology, and geographic information systems (GIS).
Dr. Roberta Smilnak, Professor Emeritus and former EAS Department Chair for whom the scholarship is named taught various courses in geography and environmental science during her time at MSU Denver, from 1974 to 2000. This endowment has been established in Roberta’s honor by her friend, Ms. Peggy Lentz. Over the course of a forty-year friendship that began in graduate school, Roberta’s affection for MSU Denver never waned—her devotion to the University enthusiastically communicated each time the women connected through phone calls and visits.

“Roberta truly believed that the institution (MSU Denver) was on the path to preeminence," says Peggy. "Even when courses were spread across various downtown buildings and the physical campus was essentially a muddy field…she still believed in, and stuck with, Metro.”

The Roberta Smilnak Memorial Endowment celebrates a life-long friendship between two women bonded by their shared interest in, and commitment to, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and STEM. The purpose of this endowment is to encourage students with a passion for Earth & Atmospheric Sciences to complete the necessary curriculum and graduate from MSU Denver with a B.S. or B.A. in their desired EAS field of study.

Criteria:
• Be meeting MSU Denver’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and cannot be in default or owe any refund/repayment of federal, state or institutional aid
• Have a declared major in Earth and Atmospheric Science. If there aren’t any qualified students with this major, the selection committee may choose a student with a declared STEM major defined as Environmental Science, Computer Science, Civil Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Biology, Biochemistry, Mathematics, Human Nutrition-Dietetics, Meteorology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Development, Aviation Technology – Aviation & Aerospace Science, Aviation Management – Aviation & Aerospace Management, Health Care Information Systems or Computer Information Systems
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater during the semester(s) the scholarship is received.

There is preference to award students in their ‘junior’ year (60-90 credit hours completed).
There is a preference for the recipient to have financial need, per FAFSA and the Metropolitan State University of Denver Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Scholarship is automatically renewable (contingent on available funds) for up to 2 years, should the student(s) remain eligible under the existing selection criteria. Students must complete the general scholarship application each year to remain eligible. This provision is only applicable when funds are available from endowment distributions or gifts directed to the scholarship award account.