Bill Gilman Memorial Scholarship - applications due June 15, 2012
The Northland Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine invites applications for the Bill Gilman Memorial Scholarship. This $500 scholarship is to be used towards the first year of graduate education in exercise science or a related field. The award will be given to an individual who demonstrates qualities that Bill embodied. Candidates will demonstrate that they live a healthy, active lifestyle; that they have diverse interests beyond academic studies; that they possess the ability to work with others, especially fellow students, on projects; and that they promote the health of others, especially through encouraging and supporting endeavors to be physically active. Candidates that document extensive international experience, such as prolonged study or living abroad, will earn additional consideration over apparently equal candidates without international experience.
Bill Gilman passed away from complications related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on September 18, 2006. After obtaining his master's from St. Cloud State University, Bill went on to obtain his Ph.D. from Kent State University. In 1981 Bill became the director of physical fitness for the St. Paul Fire Department. He spent his professional career improving the health and fitness program for their 400 plus firefighters, retiring just prior to his diagnosis with ALS in 2004. Bill made the program his, and took it well beyond its fitness testing mandate by instituting educational programs aimed offsetting the risks inherent in the firefighter's duties and lifestyle. In January 2006, the City of St. Paul recognized Bill, naming their Fire and Safety Services Training Facility “Gilman Hall”. Bill was a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, a certified ACSM Health Fitness Director, and a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Bill was one of the original members of the ACSM Occupational Physiology Interest Group. He completed firefighter's training and hence received full honor's from the St. Paul department upon his passing. Bill also served as President of the Northland Regional Chapter of ACSM. The NACSM recognized Bill's importance to our organization by officially making "GILLY'S TIME" a part of the annual meeting. Bill's interest was always in the total person, not just their MET level, fitness score, or research data. Whatever the group he was in, he became the unofficial social coordinator. He perfected the art of networking long before it was ever considered a reason to belong to a professional organization. He excelled at making sure people belonged to the group. He was always ready to go and talk about it, whether over coffee and a sweet roll, a beer and a bag of popcorn, or on a basketball court, golf course or ski trail.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
1. At the time of application, the candidate must be have been accepted in a graduate program in exercise science or related field at a college or university in the following states: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, or Wisconsin. The applicant must include a letter from the institution indicating admittance to an appropriate program as outline above.
2. The candidate must have attended at least one Northland Chapter ACSM meeting as a Northland Chapter student member prior to the submission of the application.
3. Candidate must submit a letter of application outlining qualifications. This letter must clearly explain how the candidate:
a. lives a healthy, active lifestyle
b. has diverse interests in addition to his/her academic studies
c. has demonstrated the ability to work with others, especially fellow students, on projects.
d. promotes the health of others, especially through encouraging and supporting others in their endeavors to be physically active.
4. Candidate must have a letter of recommendation from a current (same year as application) Northland Chapter ACSM professional member. This letter must support the application and specifically reference how the candidate has demonstrated the qualities referred to in 3a-d above.
5. Candidate must have a second letter of recommendation from a faculty member at his degree granting institution. This faculty member may or may not have NACSM Professional membership. This faculty member must be either a current or former class professor, or an academic advisor. The letter must support the application and specifically reference how the candidate has demonstrated the qualities referred to in 3a-d above.
Note: Candidates who can document extensive international experience, such as prolonged study or living abroad, will be earn additional consideration over apparently equal candidates without international experience.
DEADLINES AND NOTIFICATION OF AWARD
1. The application and all supporting letters must be sent to the Regional Chapter office so that they are received by June 15, 2012.
2. The Gilman Scholarship Selection Committee will review applications and make a final recommendation by August 31, 2012.
3. The scholarship award winner will be notified by October 1 of the application year.
4. Scholarship check shall be sent by the Executive Director upon verification of the student's status as an enrolled student at the institution referred to in the application in the fall semester of the application year.
SEND APPLICATIONS TO:
Northland ACSM – Gilman Scholarship
c/o John Keener
1216 Ordean Court
110 SPHC-UMD
Duluth, MN, 55812
Questions can be sent to office@northlandacsm.org
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