ALEXANDRIA, VA. -- The American Geological Institute (AGI) has awarded $78,350 in scholarship aid to 65 American geoscience students for the 1997-98 academic year. The scholarships are provided through AGI's Minority Participation Program. "AGI is pleased to provide support to qualified students who are members of populations that have been historically under represented in the earth sciences," says Marilyn J. Suiter, director of AGI's Education and Human Resources Department, which administers the program. "Several of our scholars have gone on to become leaders and make significant contributions to the geoscience community."

The scholarships are given annually to Black, Hispanic, and Native American undergraduate and graduate geoscience students. Recipients are judged on their academic achievement, financial need, and potential for success in the geoscience profession. The funds are provided by AGI corporate partners, member societies, individuals, and through a grant from the National Science Foundation. This year, 44 undergraduate and 21 graduate students were awarded scholarships. The deadline for applications for the 1998-99 academic year is Feb. 1, 1998.

The American Geological Institute, established in 1948, is a nonprofit federation of 31 member societies that represent more than 100,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth and environmental scientists.

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