Purpose and Criteria

Purpose:

The Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award was created to recognize undergraduate and graduate students for their achievements in the field of fisheries or wildlife management. The intent of the Fenske Memorial Award is to encourage students to become active in the American Fisheries Society and the Wildlife Society, including membership in their State’s affiliated chapters, and in the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. It is hoped that the Fenske Memorial Award will create an incentive for outstanding students to become more engaged by providing them an opportunity to network with their peers, as well as leaders in fisheries and wildlife management, thus helping students become more successful in pursuing their careers. Successful applicants will be invited to attend an exclusive breakfast or luncheon in honor of the late Jan Fenske with leaders in fisheries and wildlife management. The Fenske Memorial Award ceremony will be held during the annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.

 

Description:

The finalists for the Fenske Memorial Award will be selected based on academic ability and scholarly achievements. Of the successful finalists attending the Fenske Memorial Award ceremony, one student majoring in fisheries will be recognized by the North Central Division, Host State, and Michigan chapters of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) with a $500 scholarship and plaque, and one student majoring in wildlife will be recognized by the Host State and Michigan chapters of the Wildlife Society (TWS) with a $500 scholarship and plaque. The Fenske Memorial Award Scholarship winners will be selected based on their enthusiasm to protect fisheries and wildlife resources through management activities, selflessness and motivation to teach others, interest in professional involvement, and integrity, positive attitude, and compassion. The remaining successful finalists will be recognized with a certificate.

 

Eligibility criteria:

Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply.

 

Documentation required:

Students must submit a resume including GPA, two letters of recommendation from academic advisors or professionals in fisheries or wildlife management, and a cover letter including future career goals and reasons for attending the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.

 

Selection criteria:

As part of the Fenske Memorial Award, a general call for applications from students throughout the Midwest will be developed by the Michigan Chapter of AFS and distributed via the Award sponsors. The Michigan Chapter of AFS and the Michigan Chapter of TWS will screen the applications based on academic accomplishments, select up to 25 students as finalists, and select the two scholarship winners.

 

The Michigan chapters of AFS and TWS will each annually provide $250 towards the scholarships, and will request a match for those contributions from the local chapters of AFS and TWS in the host State. The North Central Division of AFS will contribute up to $750 annually with $500 earmarked for support of the ceremony expenses and up to $250 earmarked for the fisheries scholarship in the event the Host State Chapter is unable to contribute a matching donation. The Michigan chapters of AFS and TWS will provide plaques for the winners, as well as certificates for the finalists.

 

Frequency of award:

Annually, two of the student finalists, one majoring in fisheries management and one majoring in wildlife management, who embody the characteristics that made Jan a remarkable fisheries biologist, will be presented with a Fenske Memorial Award that includes a scholarship of $500.

 

Deadline:

The deadline for receipt of completed application forms by the Award Committee is October 15. E-mail submittals are preferred, although mail and fax submittals will be accepted.

 

Student applicants selected as finalists will be notified by November 20th and will be prominently announced at the conference in December.

Contributions:

Many individuals and groups have asked how to make a contribution in honor of Jan Fenske.  To contribute to this award, please write a check payable to MIAFS and mail it to: Holly Jennings, Ottawa National Forest, E6248 US Hwy 2, Ironwood, MI 49938.  Please include a note on your check that the donation is for the Janice L. Fenske Memorial Award.

The Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award Committee:

This committee works with the North Central Division and Host State Chapter of AFS and the Michigan Chapter of TWS to oversee the annual award which serves to recognize students who share the same characteristics and attributes that Jan exhibited throughout her professional career. The Committee administers a long-term plan for funding, coordinates plans for the award ceremony, and selects award winners.

 

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Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award recipients

2007

Melissa Wuellner, South Dakota State University, Fisheries

Emilie Travis, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wildlife

Melissa Wuellner (left, with Dr. Kelley Smith, Chief, Michigan DNR Fisheries Division) and Emilie Travis (right, with Jim Schneider, President, Michigan Chapter of The Wildlife Society), receive the 2007 Janice L. Fenske Memorial Award

2006

Jesse Fischer, Kansas State University, Fisheries

Silka Kempema, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Wildlife

2005

Robin DeBruyne, Central Michigan University, Fisheries

Rebecca Christoffel, Michigan State University, Wildlife

Past finalists

Biography of Janice L. Fenske

On March 10, 2005 one of the finest fisheries biologists to have worked for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Janice Lee Fenske, passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Jan was born on August 1, 1954 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and grew up in Grandville, graduating from Grandville High School in 1972. Jan received her BS degree in zoology from Michigan State University in 1976, and in 1983 a MS degree in fisheries management from The University of Michigan. In 1978, Jan accepted a position from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Division as a Fisheries Technician in the Research Section. In 1983 Jan was promoted to a Fisheries Biologist position in Mio, Michigan, thus becoming the first female fisheries biologist to work for Fisheries Division. Subsequently, Jan became the first female District Fisheries Biologist for Fisheries Division when she was promoted to the position for the Mio District in 1985.

Jan worked in many capacities for Fisheries Division during her 27 years of service, including Research Fisheries Technician, Field Fisheries Biologist and District Fisheries Biologist, Natural Rivers Coordinator, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project Licensing Coordinator, and Tribal Unit Coordinator. Her love of the environment compelled her to work untiringly for the long-term protection and wise use of the State's aquatic resources. Her accomplishments were numerous and her mentoring was invaluable to a whole generation of fisheries professionals. Jan's dedication and hard work were frequently recognized by her peers and the public and her awards included Fisheries Division’s Chief’s Award and two Top Fin awards, the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited's Order of the Hexagenia Award, and the 2004 Justin W. Leonard Award of Excellence for outstanding professional achievement from the Michigan Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. She was particularly proud of her long association with the American Fisheries Society, which she joined in 1979. She engaged in many interesting professional debates and discussions at Michigan Chapter meetings and other Society meetings. Jan touched many professionals and non-professionals who dealt with natural resource issues with her passion for the resource and her direct and honest approach in dealing with the key fisheries issues of the day.

Although academic excellence was important to Jan, there is a broader human dimension that she exhibited not only with her colleagues in fisheries management, but also during her life with those of us who were blessed and lucky enough to have known and served with her. She had one of the best work ethics; she never shirked her responsibilities, nor did she ever try to avoid the most difficult of tasks.

Jan was the first female Fisheries Biologist and District Fisheries Biologist in the history of Michigan’s Fisheries Division. She took these challenges head on during a time when women were not readily accepted in such positions, and she succeeded beyond expectation. She courageously blazed the trail for others to follow with incredible willpower, resolve, and confidence that never waned even in the toughest of times – traits that are not often seen. Although she did not show it openly, Jan went through some very difficult times as she took on these positions and moved up in Fisheries Division in what was then perceived to be a “man’s division”. She succeeded in surmounting the obstacles thrown in her way, but these early events in her career left lasting impressions on her. Jan funneled those impressions into a strong desire to mentor future fisheries professionals and conservation stewards in Fisheries Division and across the landscape. It was always about others, not herself.

Jan also increased her attention to ensuring that honesty and integrity formed the basis for both management actions and resolution of problems facing Michigan’s natural resources. Her commitment to aquatic resource management was unquestionable. Jan’s ability to face and resolve tough issues, and especially her strength and courage, were unsurpassed. These characteristics and attributes were founded in her core set of values and principles, her beliefs about life, and she applied them to both resource management issues and her interactions with fellow humans, colleagues, and friends. This core set of values and principles that guided Jan in her daily life were unwavering, openly exhibited, and she took every opportunity to pursue them throughout her career. She never had a hidden agenda.

Jan will be missed by all who were associated with her. Her love for her fellow humans, her zest for life and positive can-do attitude, and her courage and strength leave a legacy that is treasured by all who knew her. Most importantly, however, the natural resources of the State of Michigan have lost an unflinching and tireless friend.