Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association
Scholarship Program

Application Deadline: March 31, 2009

Chairperson
Sylvia Ortiz
(512) 232-2232
s.ortiz@mail.utexas.edu

Questions: For any Scholarship questions, donations, or information please contact Sylvia Ortiz.

Scholarship Overview:
The Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association endeavors to promote health and safety within the mining industry.

We believe that providing financial aid to students in the pursuit of education related to mine safety will result in safer mines and healthier environments within the mining industry.

To that end, we have instituted this scholarship program and encourage new generations to enter the mine safety and health profession. A financial award is given to deserving candidates to help defray their educational costs in a field related to mining health and safety.

Background:
In 1916, The Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association was formed by twenty-four leading national organizations. It was named after Dr. Joseph A. Holmes, a mining safety pioneer and the first director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines.

In the mid 1920's the association began to organize local chapters throughout the U.S., and named the new national organization the Holmes Safety Association. The Joseph A. Holmes Scholarship Program was established by members of the Holmes Safety Association, in 1996 in memory of Dr. Joseph A. Holmes.

The very first Joseph A. Holmes scholarships were awarded in Columbus, Ohio at the National Holmes Conference. Gene Rek from Texas and Nancy Dorsett of West Virginia, were the first recipients to ever receive a Joseph A. Holmes scholarship award. It has been one of the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association's priorities to encourage outstanding students to become educated in a mine safety related field.

Scope:
This scholarship program is open to persons who are pursuing careers in the mining industry, safety and health-related fields.

Scholarship awards are available in the following categories:

  1. High school graduates (graduating seniors) enrolled in a college or university degree program.
  2. Undergraduate students currently enrolled in a college or university degree program.
  3. Graduates of a college or university pursuing a graduate degree.

Application Requirements:
Student must be accepted by an accredited educationalinstitution in the United States or currently enrolled at an accredited U.S. College or University in a degree program in mine safety, occupational or industrial hygiene, industrial health and safety or other related mine safety programs.

Applicant must satisfy each of the following criteria:

  1. Provide a transcript of grades for the last 3 years of completed education (i.e. high school or college level)
  2. Complete the Financial Disclosure Information section to verify financial status and expenses of all persons living in the applicant's household.
  3. Submit a 100-300 personal word essay on "Why I am pursuing a degree in mining or in a mine safety/health-related field."
  4. Provide a list of Extracurricular Activities and/or a list of other Academic Achievements.
  5. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien of the U.S.
  6. Complete application and submit it with all required documents by March 31, 2009 (linked below)

Selection Process:
Committee members review applications and select qualified scholarship recipients based on demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, financial need, Grade Point Average (GPA), leadership, and future career interest in a mine related field. The committee comes to a consensus and the successful applicant(s) will be notified by mail no later than March 31, 2009.

Scholarship Award Amount:
Award amount vary based on scholarship funding and each individual application. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion or disability.

The scholarship funding will be awarded and ready for fall semester of 2009. The funding is sent directly to the college or university; credited to the student's financial account to be used only for the student's tuition and books.

Deadline: March 31, 2009 (postmarked)

Additional Information:
Holmes Safety Association Scholarship application can be downloaded from the Holmes Safety website at www.holmessafety.org

Questions:
Should you have questions regarding the Joseph A. Holmes Scholarship Program, please contact s.ortiz@mail.utexas.edu. Be sure you provide your full name and telephone number.

bullet Application is being revised.

Please visit the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association official web site.