TAMUG students receive Dan Klepper Memorial Scholarship

Galveston, Texas — Recently, two Texas A&M University at Galveston graduate students, Matt Abernathy and Ron Wooten, were each awarded the Dan Klepper Memorial Scholarship from the Texas Outdoor Writers Association (T.O.W.A.).

Named in honor of a legendary outdoor writer for the San Antonio Express News and one of the founders of T.O.W.A., the Dan Klepper Memorial Scholarship is awarded to support the next generation of communicators who want to enlighten audiences about the importance of honoring natural heritage and appreciating and enjoying conservation.

To be eligible for the award, applicants must be pursuing a career in the field of communications related to the outdoors, environmental conservation, or wildlife management in print media, radio, television or electronic media.

Presented in New Braunfels at the annual T.O.W.A. conference, the awards included a certificate, memberships in T.O.W.A., and a check for $1,500. Both students were sponsored by Dr. Tom Linton, a member of T.O.W.A. and Marine Sciences faculty at Texas A&M University at Galveston.

"I was very proud of those two ----they won the scholarships as well as the hearts of the Texas Outdoor Writers --- it was a good day for the Aggies!”, said Linton.

Abernathy is working on his master’s degree in Marine Resource Management, and is currently employed by the Galveston Bay Foundation as their Conservation Programs Outreach Specialist. His duties include participating in the Foundation’s various conservation programs as well as fostering public awareness and involvement about environmental issues effecting Galveston Bay. This is his second year to win the award.

Wooten is also a graduate student in the Marine Resource Management program. After 20 years working as a biologist, entrepreneur, and educator, he has returned to school to earn a master’s degree in Marine Resource Management. He is currently employed as a graduate assistant with the university, serving as mentor for an undergraduate group of students in the Lyons scholarship program, and is a writer and photographer for Galveston Monthly.

Both students plan to continue careers in writing and communication.