FSU Student Awarded Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Wildlife Leadership Award

Sep 14, 2018 1:10 PM

Josiah Freese, a senior Wildlife and Fisheries student at Frostburg State University, is a winner of the 2018 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s Wildlife Leadership Award.

The program awards a $3,000 scholarship to college juniors and seniors chosen for their leadership ability, dedication to wildlife conservation and scholastic achievements. Freese, of Mount Airy, Md., is one of only 12 students nationwide to receive the award, including a one-year membership to RMEF.

“Not only is this scholarship a huge help to me financially for my senior year, but it’s also a real honor to be recognized as one of the few students nationwide to receive this award,” Freese said.

Freese had advice for other students applying for the scholarship: “Make sure you keep your grades up, but also get involved in clubs and community activities. And most importantly, reapply your senior year even if you don’t win the award your junior year. I didn’t win the first time I applied, and I almost didn’t reapply in my senior year. But moms are smart, and my mom encouraged me to try again.”

Founded in 1984, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and the hunting heritage. The Wildlife Leadership Award was established to recognize, encourage and promote leadership among future wildlife management professionals.

Situated in the mountains of Allegany County, Frostburg State University is one of the 12 institutions of the University System of Maryland. FSU is a comprehensive, residential regional university and serves as an educational and cultural center for Western Maryland. For more information, visit Frostburg State web site or FSU Facebook page. Follow FSU on Twitter @frostburgstate.