Application for the 2018 R. Weldon Larimore Scholarship

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To honor this renowned scientist, scholar, and educator, the Family and Friends of Dr. R. Weldon Larimore, the Illinois Natural History Survey, and the University of Illinois Foundation established the R. Weldon Larimore/ Jordan Creek Endowment Fund in 2002.

Dr. R. Weldon “Larry” Larimorewas born on 10 February 1923 in Rogers, Arkansas, and passed away on 13 January 2015. He received his Bachelor’s from the University of Arkansas, his Master’s from the University of Illinois, and his Doctorate from the University of Michigan. He served as a warmwater stream ecologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey from 1946-2002. Following in the footsteps of renowned ecologists such as Stephen A. Forbes and David Thompson, Dr. Larimore has done research in Jordan Creek (Vermilion County, Illinois). Throughout his career, Dr. Larimore maintained an active interest in fish and stream ecology, especially within the basin he called home.

Dr. Larimore was a pioneer of aquatic ecology and was a charter member of numerous organizations including the North American Benthological Society, the American Institute of Fisheries Research Biologists, and the Illinois Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. He was called upon to share his expertise through the United Nations and the Fulbright Association on numerous projects in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. Dr. Larimore mentored numerous fisheries and aquatic biologists throughout his career, including many professionals in Illinois. He was husband to Glenn E; father to Richard, Kenneth, and Michael; and grandfather to Rachel, Ryan, and Eric.

The R. Weldon Larimore/Jordan Creek Endowment Fund will provide a scholarship to help support an aspiring student scientist at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) or beginning research professional at the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) or UIUC to take up the spirit of Dr. Larimore and conduct research focusing on Jordan Creek and/or other Midwestern warmwater streams.

The R. Weldon Larimore Scholarship recognizes an undergraduate or graduate student or new research professional studying some aspect of aquatic biology and who is preparing for a career devoted to the understanding and protection of biological resources in warmwater streams. The successful applicant will have demonstrated a desire to pursue graduate studies or a career path in aquatic ecology or related field. In 2018, a scholarship award(s) totaling $2,500 will be made available through the coming year.

For this year’s award, there are special opportunities to focus on the relationship of Jordan Creek and other tributaries to the Salt Fork of the Vermilion River. Moreover, continued opportunities are available to work with and summarize historical data collected by Dr. Larimore and other scientists. Applicants interested in working with historical data sets may contact Jeremy Tiemann (information below).

To receive full consideration, please provide three copies of the following information and attach to this application form:

  1. In no more than three, double-spaced pages please describe your interests in pursuing a career in the field of aquatic ecology and how this award will be used in a scholarly manner to study warmwater stream ecology or the understanding of Jordan Creek in particular. The proposal should include a title, authorship line, abstract, introduction, methods, and significance of research. One of the three pages should be a concise description of the proposed research, including a timetable, estimated budget, and amount requested from Larimore Committee. Figures, tables, and literature cited should follow the narrative but do not count toward the three-page limit.
  1. List the names, titles, office or organization names, address, email address, and telephone numbers of three references who can attest to your academic qualifications and ability to pursue a successful career in aquatic ecology. Please request brief letters of reference from these individuals to be sent directly to Mr. Jeremy Tiemann at the address or email shown below.
  1. Currently enrolled students should include a university transcript that details courses taken and grades received. INHS or beginning U of I research professionals should provide a maximum 2-page resume in addition to most recent transcripts.
  1. A short (2 page) report summarizing the results should be submitted to the committee within three months of completion of the project.
  1. Any published work generated from the research should thank the R. Weldon Larimore/ Jordan Creek Endowment Fund.

For more information about the scholarship, or its goals, contact Mr. Jeremy Tiemann (see below).

Please return the completed application forms of the above by 5:00pm, Friday, 2February 2018 to:

R. Weldon Larimore Scholarship Program

Jeremy Tiemann

Illinois Natural History Survey

1816 South Oak Street (MC-652)

Champaign, IL 61820

Telephone: (217) 244-4594

e-mail: