A Madison-based organization dedicated to maintaining the state�s water resources has established a scholarship in the College of Natural Resources (CNR) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

The Madison Fishing Expo has donated $3,500 to the UWSP Foundation to be followed by another gift of $10,000 to establish the Water Resources Scholarship Endowment. The award will be given annually to a qualified junior or senior CNR student majoring in the water resources field, preferably a resident of Dane County. The winners will be chosen annually by the CNR Scholarship Committee on the basis of academic performance, related extracurricular involvement and financial need.

The first scholarship of $3,500 will be given spring 2002, and thereafter, a $500 award will be given each year at the CNR Rendezvous Awards Program in April.

Sponsors of an annual fishing show since 1986, the volunteer organization spends the proceeds from the event on projects such as boat safety, habitat protection, fishing piers for disabled citizens, water biology classes and many other fishing and water-related projects.

"Through the UWSP endowment, we wanted to create a lasting legacy for the expo that would last into the future," says Steve Hauge, president of the Madison Fishing Expo.

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