Willard L. Gross was a Professor of Biology at UW Whitewater where he taught several courses on lakes and streams. Dr. Gross was instrumental in the formation of the Geneva Lake Environmental Agency in the early 1970´s and served as their consulting Limnologist. His love for teaching and hands-on experiences for his students brought them to Geneva Lake many times to conduct research.

The Environmental Education Foundation (EEF), Rotary Clubs from Fontana, Walworth and Lake Geneva, Geneva Lake Environmental Agency (GLEA), and Woods and Water Sports Club are sponsoring the Willard L. Gross Natural Resource Career Workshop Scholarships to Geneva Lake Area high school juniors and seniors.

Candidates who have an interest in pursuing a career in the environmental sciences are recommended by their teachers to compete for four scholarships that are offered to area high school juniors and seniors. Recipients attend a weeklong workshop in the north woods at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station near Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Campers experience the types of activities that are involved in the many different professional disciplines within the area of natural science while working with professionals in the field. A highlight of the week is to visit one of the leading natural resources undergraduate colleges in the nation, where the students are advised on the courses and training required of professionals in their area of interest.

College credit is available for students entering their senior year, and the cost of the credits may be covered by one of the sponsoring groups.

Students must provide their own transportation, personal gear, and spending money. Registration cost is covered by the scholarship. Students receiving the scholarships may be asked to make a brief presentation to the sponsoring organizations about their Career Workshop experience.

Interested students should contact their guidance department, school administrator, or science teacher regarding their interest and ask for a recommendation. Recommendations should be submitted to Geneva Lake Environmental Agency, P.O. Box 914, Williams Bay, WI 53191 and postmarked no later than March 1 of each year.

Please call Ted Peters, GLEA Director, at (262)245-4532 with any questions.