Thanks to a generous donation from Mrs. Joyce Scofield and other family members
of the late Dr. Roderick A. Scofield (1942-2006), a college scholarship opportunity
is available to aspiring meteorologists.
Offering:
One scholarship per year in the amount
of $1000. The NWA may ask
the winner of the Dr. Roderick A. Scofield Scholarship
to present research work at a local or annual NWA meeting; the NWA may
provide additional funding for required travel and accommodations for such a
presentation.
Administration: The scholarship selection is administered by
the NWA Education Committee. The NWA office announces the call for applications
in February each year, applications close 15 May and the scholarship designee
will be notified in late-June.
Eligibility: Any undergraduate (going into their junior year
or higher in the fall) or graduate student that is majoring in meteorology (or
related field) may apply. If the undergraduate student is classified as a senior
they must either have one more fall (Sep. - Dec.) semester to complete after
the scholarship is awarded, or they must document that they have been accepted
into graduate school.
Award Criteria: The scholarship is awarded based on:
a) Academic achievement/merit (transcripts).
b) Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a current or former meteorology
professor), and
c) A one page statement explaining why the applicant is applying for the Dr.
Roderick A. Scofield Scholarship
Logistics: Scholarship money will be transferred following the
financial guidelines of the college or university involved. If there aren't
any financial guidelines from the school, NWA will make the $1,000 check payable
to both the student and the education institution at the beginning of the September
- December semester or quarter.
About Dr. Roderick Scofield: Dr. Roderick Arthur Scofield was
a charter member of the NWA, who rose to be elected its president for the year
2000, was born in Louisville, Kentucky
in 1942. In November 2005, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died
at his home in Pomfret, Maryland on 25
February 2006.
He obtained a B.S. Degree in Physics from the University
of Louisville in 1964. He earned
an M.S. in Meteorology from Saint Louis
University in 1969 and a Ph.D. from
the same institution in 1973. He joined NOAA and spent one year at the NWS Techniques
Development Laboratory (now called the Meteorological Development Lab), one
year in the NWS National Meteorological Center Development Division (hurricane
modeling) (now called the Environmental Modeling Center (EMC) of the National
Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)), and 30 years in the National Environmental
Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), Office of Research and Applications
(ORA) in Camp Springs, Maryland. He received several outstanding performance
awards for his efforts in developing satellite analysis and forecasting techniques
for flash floods, heavy precipitation, and Quantitative Precipitation Estimation
(QPE), Forecasting (QPF) and Nowcasting (QPN). He presented many seminars and
conducted workshops in NWS forecast offices, at the Cooperative Program for
Operational Meteorology, Education and Training (COMET) (Boulder, CO), the Virtual
Institute for Satellite Integration Training (VISIT) (Fort Collins, CO), the
NWS Technical Training Center in Kansas City, the Operational Support Facility
(in Norman, OK), at many Universities around the country and at NWA and AMS
meetings. He also taught at the Satellite Education Conference at West
Chester, PA, and in the AMS/NOAA
DataStreme Atmosphere, Water in the Earth System, and Ocean Science Education
programs.
In 1984, he was named a NWS Visiting Professor of Satellite Meteorology. He
was also an associate editor of the Monthly Weather Review. In November
1985, he was a member of a U.S.
delegation to attend a technical exchange conference in Wuhan, Chinaon
flash flood forecasting techniques. He also made professional visits, presented
seminars and conducted workshops in: Brazil,
Taiwan, Venezuela,
England, Puerto
Rico, Canada,
Italy, Spain,
Egypt, the People's
Republic of China,
India, and Peru.
In November 1986, he received the National Weather Association (NWA) annual
research achievement award for outstanding contributions to operational meteorology
through continuing research. In June 1989, he received a NOAA Bronze Medal for
outstanding research and leadership in the application of meteorological satellite
data to the improvement of heavy precipitation and flash flood forecasts. In
May 1992, he received a Medal from the Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan for
his outstanding leadership in the applications of satellite data for flash flood
forecasting over Southeast Asia. Rod was also a great
supporter of Professional Associations. He participated actively in: Sigma Xi
(a science honorary), National Weather Association (NWA), American Meteorological
Society (AMS), and the American Geophysical Union (AGU). He was a Councilor
in the NWA from 1995-1996. He received the 1999 AMS Francis W. Reichelderfer
Award, the 1999 U.S. Department of Commerce Gold Medal for research and leadership
in the use of satellite data in Flash Flood Forecasting, the 1999 NOAA Group
Bronze Medal for presenting workshops on flash flood forecasting at NWS Training
Centers and was President of the NWA for the year 2000 (the NWA's 25th anniversary
year). Rod also received the University of Louisville Arts & Sciences Alumni
Fellow Award for 2000. In 2001, he was elected an AMS Fellow and received a
NOAA Group Bronze Medal for operational implementation of an automatic satellite
precipitation algorithm for predicting flash floods. He has written over 175
papers that include journal articles, conference proceedings, tech memorandums,
notes and reports, and he contributed to chapters in text books. His teaching
will continue for years to come as aspiring meteorologists read his many reports.
NWA members attending Rod's funeral also learned of the many great works he
performed in his local community and at Saint Paul's
Episcopal Church in Waldorf, Maryland.
Rod is survived by his wife of 41 years, Joyce Wiedmar Scofield of Pomfret;
three children: Michelle Eileen Preil of Louisville, Matthew Roderick Scofield
of Churchton and Brett Edward Scofield of Bowling Green, Kentucky, two daughters-in-law:
Stacey and Kellie, and two grandchildren: Julianna and Ethan.
At the NWA 31st Annual Meeting in Cleveland,
Ohio, a special session was scheduled in
tribute to Rod Scofield and a NWA Special Lifetime Achievement Award for Rod
was presented posthumously and accepted by Mrs. Joyce Scofield.
Rod Scofield's teaching and influence will continue for years to come as aspiring
meteorologists read his many research reports. His passion for observing, analyzing,
learning and sharing knowledge of the atmosphere with all concerned will long
be remembered by his many colleagues. His superb efforts in providing teachers
with continuing education and inspiring college students will continue through
this scholarship offering.
Application Process:
The application form (Linked Below) and all enclosures must be postmarked by
May 15th. Student copies of transcripts are acceptable. Recommendations
from those that will not provide the recommendation directly to the student
should be submitted in a sealed envelope. Recommendations should not
be sent directly to the NWA office unless absolutely necessary.
Please contact the NWA office if you have questions. Telephone/Fax: (919)
845-1546 or via e-mail: exdir@nwas.org
APPLICATION
FORM (PDF)