J. Alan and Margaret Holman Endowed Scholarship

SCHOLARSHIP BACKGROUND

Dr. J. Alan Holman graduated from Franklin College in 1953 with a degree in "Distinction in Biology" and a passion for research and field work. He went on to earn his MS and PhD degrees from the University of Florida at Gainesville in 1957 and 1961 respectively. Dr. Holman spent his career as an educator and researcher and was named Emeritus Professor of Geological Sciences and Zoology and Emeritus Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at Michigan State University after retiring in 1997. He authored more than 260 publications in paleoherpetology, herpetology, and vertebrate paleontology and is considered the leading authority of New World fossil snakes. Dr. Holman authored nine books, including one he co-authored with his wife, Dr. Margaret B. "Peg" Holman, and his many accomplishments include Honorary Lifetime membership in the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. Dr. Peg Holman was originally from Evanston, Illinois and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati, and her Masters and PhD degrees in Athropolgy from Michigan State University. Also a strong advocate of teaching and research, Dr. Holman served as research associate in the Department of Anthropolgy at Michigan State University and in the Michigan State University Museum. Her many accomplishments also include numerous publications, contract archaeology and service on graduate committees. Due to their love of field research and the biological sciences, Drs. Alan and Peg Holman established an endowed scholarship at Franklin College to benefit students interested in pursuing degrees in these areas.

SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS

The Homan Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to students meeting the following prioritized selection criteria: A student demonstrating financial aid and interested in pursuing a degree in Biology with an interest in field Biology or Zoology; or to a student demonstrating financial need and interested in pursuing a degree in Biology for post-secondary education or field research; or to a student interested in pursuing a degree in Biology with the intention of pursuing a graduate degree. If all possibilities are exhausted, final preference will be given to a student majoring in any natural science with the intention of pursuing a graduate degree.