The NIRSA Foundation is committed to supporting the future of collegiate recreation. With this goal in mind, the Foundation funds scholarships and stipends that help ensure that all NIRSA members—regardless of personal income—are able to take advantage of the many NIRSA educational and professional development opportunities available each year. The Association would like to congratulate the following members who received a 2015 NIRSA Foundation Scholarship!
Professional Scholarship Winners
Professional scholarships cover registration fees for the NIRSA event related to each endowment. They are awarded based on the applicant’s financial need, service to the Association, leadership and participation in activities on the applicant’s campus, and in consideration of the relationship of the symposium or conference to the applicant’s job responsibilities.
The Will Holsberry Endowment was established in 1997 in recognition of Will Holsberry’s 24 years of service to the Association. As the third Executive Director of NIRSA, the Association experienced tremendous growth under his direction. Will’s vision, dedication, persistence, and especially his commitment to NIRSA are the elements that made him such an outstanding advocate for educating professionals within collegiate recreation. The Will Holsberry Endowment provides a NIRSA professional member with funds so they have to opportunity to attend any of the NIRSA schools or institutes.
- Emilie Fleming, University of Cincinnati
- Scott Flickinger, Boston University
- Stephen Hardy, University of Toledo
- Arianne Judy, Colorado State University – Fort Collins
The Bill Thompson Scholarship was established in 2012 by Mr. Thompson, who was committed to the advancement and development of NIRSA professionals. The Bill Thompson Scholarship provides a professional member of NIRSA with funds so they have the opportunity to attend any of the NIRSA schools or institutes.
- Joey Halpin, Colorado State University – Fort Collins
In 2005, Christopher Chivetta established the Anthony (Tony) J. Chivetta Endowment in honor of the work and passion of his father. As a distinguished architect for over 45 years, Tony completed some of the nation’s most unique and creative recreation, fitness, and wellness centers on college campuses. The Anthony (Tony) J. Chivetta Endowment provides a professional member of NIRSA with funds so they the opportunity to attend the NIRSA Recreation Facilities Institute or the NIRSA Annual Conference and Recreational Sports Exposition.
- A’Naja M. Bass, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
The NIRSA Founders Endowment was endowed in April 2009 in honor of the 20 African American Founders of the National Intramural Association (NIA), which was formed in 1950. Its purpose is to provide funding for conference scholarships so that a NIRSA professional member from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) can attend the NIRSA Annual Conference and Recreational Sports Exposition or any of the NIRSA schools or institutes.
- Taunita V. Stephenson, Delaware State University
Established in 1996, the NIRSA Foundation SoCal Endowment provides funding for scholarships that cover the registration cost of the NIRSA Annual Conference & Recreational Sports Expo for undergraduate and graduate student members in Region VI. The scholarship was established by the coordinators of the SoCal Scramble Golf Tournament.
- Mike Dominguez, Sonoma State University
In 2015, the NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors renamed the professional Salado (Texas) Consortium Endowed Scholarship in honor of Steve Kintigh, former Director of Campus Recreation at Texas Christian University. This scholarship provides funding for a professional member who is employed at a Texas school to attend the NIRSA Annual Conference.
- Andy Lemons, RCRSP, Saint Edward’s University
The Frederick R. Braden Scholarship for Social Justice in Collegiate Recreation funds scholarships for registration to the NIRSA Annual Conference and Recreational Sports Exposition for a student or professional member who is LGBTQI and/or identifies as an ally. Recipients are selected because they actively work to create an environment of inclusion and safety for LGBTQI community members in recreational sports. This scholarship was established in January 2011 by Laurie Braden in memory of her father Dr. Frederick R. Braden who dedicated his life to social justice and equality.
- Austin R. Anderson, Ph.D., University of Southern Indiana
The Jennifer R. de-Vries Scholarship provides a NIRSA professional and student member with the funds to attend NIRSA’s School of Collegiate Recreation. Jen’s greatest gift was her ability to create an effective learning environment for NIRSA professionals and students. The existence of this scholarship continues Jen’s legacy of bringing dreams to life and helping others realize their potential.
- Caitlin Sommers, University of the Pacific
Student Scholarships
Student scholarships cover the cost of registration fees to attend the NIRSA Annual Conference or the J. Michael Dunn preconference workshop. Applicants are encouraged to apply for all scholarships for which they are eligible.
This scholarship carries the highest honor amongst Foundation Scholarships. It is named for Mark E. Fletcher, a distinguished recreational sports professional and long-term NIRSA member who died suddenly at the age of 57. Mark’s commitment to NIRSA and the NIRSA Foundation is what led to the Foundation Board honoring Mark’s legacy. This scholarship provides a graduating senior or graduate student with registration to the NIRSA Annual Conference.
- Ashlee Miller, The University of Texas at Austin
In 2002—by a generous contribution to the NIRSA Foundation—an endowment was established in honor of William Wasson, one of NIRSA’s founding members. These scholarships are for the graduating seniors and/or graduate students with the highest GPA’s from among the group receiving scholarships.
- Emily Abrams, The University of Texas at Austin
- Dylan Volpintesta, Valdosta State University
The NIRSA Foundation partners with corporate sponsors who are dedicating to advancing the Association’s mission. Each partner provides one scholarship to a student to attend the NIRSA Annual Conference.
- Woodway USA—Corporate Partner
Victoria Landron, Louisiana State University - Sports Imports—Corporate Partner
Jennifer L. Wink, St. Ambrose University - Matrix—Corporate Partner
Abby Van Note, University of New Hampshire - Star Trac—Corporate Partner
Hannah Roberts, Purdue University - Life Fitness—Corporate Contributor
Justin Mumford, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
The NIRSA Founders Endowment was created in April 2009 in honor of the 20 African American Founders of the National Intramural Association (NIA), formed in 1950. Its purpose is to provide funding for conference scholarships for a NIRSA student member from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to attend the NIRSA Annual Conference & Recreational Sports Expo or any other NIRSA sponsored or endorsed symposium.
- Ashford Evans-Brown, Prairie View A&M University
Established in 1996, the NIRSA Foundation SoCal Endowment provides funding for scholarships that cover the registration cost of the NIRSA Annual Conference & Recreational Sports Expo for undergraduate and graduate student members in Region VI. The scholarship was established by the coordinators of the SoCal Scramble Golf Tournament.
- Ariana Carr, University of California-Davis
- Andrea Collica, Arizona State University
- Daniel Walker, University of California-Davis
- Neyri Zarco, California State University-Sacramento
The Sonia and Max Gartenberg Endowment was developed in 2003 to create an enduring legacy for the parents of long-term NIRSA member Mitch Gartenberg. Mitch learned the value of hard work and commitment with a charitable spirit through the teachings of his parents, which led him to create this endowment. The endowment was established to give priority to supporting a student member from a traditionally historic black college or university (HBCU) so that they can attend the Annual NIRSA Annual Conference.
- David Stewart, Towson University
Endowed in April 2006, the Salado Consortium (Texas) Endowed scholarship provides undergraduate or graduate students attending insitutitions in Texas with registration to the NIRSA Annual Conference. The endowment was established by collegiate recreation directors at Texas universities.
- Emily Kennedy, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
- Kelly Rasbury, The University of Texas at San Antonio
Endowed in April 2009, the Region V Endowment provides students from Region V with a scholarship to attend the NIRSA Annual Conference.
- Erin Guy, Colorado State University – Fort Collins
- Liza Thalken, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Lucas Wilson, St. Cloud State University
The Frederick R. Braden Scholarship for Social Justice in Collegiate Recreation funds scholarships for registration to the NIRSA Annual Conference and Recreational Sports Exposition for a student or professional member who is LGBTQI and/or identifies as an ally. Recipients are selected because they actively work to create an environment of inclusion and safety for LGBTQI community members in recreational sports. This scholarship was established in January 2011 by Laurie Braden in memory of her father Dr. Frederick R. Braden who dedicated his life to social justice and equality.
- Cybbi Barton, Western Kentucky University
The Fletcher/Leonida Endowment was developed to create an enduring legacy for two of our NIRSA colleagues and friends, Mark E. Fletcher and Mark M. (Leo) Leonida. This endowment was established in 2011 to be awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student who attends a Virginia college or university, with a secondary priority for students in NIRSA Region II.
- Payton Joyner, Georgia State University
- Laura Kathlyn Painter, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Ilana Obuchowski, College of William and Mary
The Region I Endowment was developed by members in Region I to provide students from Region I with scholarships to attend the NIRSA Annual Conference.
- Christopher Stankowski, University of New Hampshire
The Jennifer R. de-Vries Scholarship provides a NIRSA professional and student member with the funds to attend NIRSA’s School of Collegiate Recreation. Jen’s greatest gift was her ability to create an effective learning environment for NIRSA professionals and students. The existence of this scholarship continues Jen’s legacy of bringing dreams to life and helping others realize their potential.
- Eleanor C. Schmerler, Oklahoma State University
On behalf of the J. Michael Dunn Endowment, 24 student scholarships were awarded to students to attend the J. Michael Dunn Student Professional Development workshop and two scholarships were awarded to professionals to attend the preconference workshop of their choosing. These recipients were randomly selected in the spirit of Mike’s belief that every person has potential and should be given an equal opportunity to develop a foundation of learning. The scholarships recognize the legacy and passion that we all fondly remember in our dear colleague and former NIRSA President J. Michael Dunn.
Students
- Henry Knejfl, The University of Toledo
- Abby Van Note, University of New Hampshire
- Erin Guy, Colorado State University-Fort Collins
- Jonathan Canales, Saint Edward’s University
- Katelynn Rickard, Valdosta State University
- Tyler Wilhelms, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Rebecca Krombeen, Purdue University
- Christopher Stankowski, University of New Hampshire
- Daniel Conway, The University of Toledo
- Dylan Volpintesta, Valdosta State University
- Samuel Sugarman, University of Alabama
- Alexis Nicole Lawrence, The University of Texas At San Antonio
- Matt Williams, University of North Georgia
- Mike Rubbo, Saint Edward’s University
- Andrea Collins, Sonoma State University
- Marissa Allen, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Emily Kennedy, Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
- Ashlee Miller, The University of Texas at Austin
- Brandon Miller, University of Georgia
- Brandon Hall, The University of Maine
- Paige Delvendahl, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Travis M. Haug, Boise State University
- David Stewart, Towson University
- Rob Fekete, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Professional
- Stephanne Musser, The Ohio State University
- Berkley Henshaw, Longwood University
The NIRSA Foundation Travel Assistance Stipend allows leading professionals the opportunity to advance their career in the field of collegiate recreation by networking and gaining valuable knowledge without shouldering the expenses of travel and lodging.
Travel stipends were awarded based on need to one NIRSA Professional Member from each of NIRSA’s six regions. The $1,000 stipend is specifically designed to cover travel expenses associated with attending the NIRSA Annual Conference.
Region I
Erica Lloyd, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Region II
Robert Taylor, Clemson University
Region III
Alexandria Spinks, University of Toledo
Region IV
Nick White, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Region V
Mariah Weber, MS, RDN, LN, South Dakota State University
Region VI
Amy Cornish, Western Washington University
