Congratulations to This Year's Scholarship Award Recipients:
The WTS Foundation awards scholarships to women who are pursuing careers in transportation through undergraduate and graduate programs. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher to qualify. Specific criteria and amounts vary by award, as the majority of awards are given by local WTS chapters, who set specific parameters. Nationally, WTSF scholarships include:
Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship
This scholarship in the amount of $3,000 is awarded to women pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field and honors Sharon D. Banks, chief executive officer of AC Transit in Alameda-Contra Costa County, California during most of the 1990's. She led the agency in a pioneering effort to introduce cultural and organizational changes aimed at motivating the public transit work force. She was a member of the WTS Advisory Board and received the WTS San Francisco Chapter Woman and Employer of the Year Awards.
Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship
The Helene M. Overly Scholarship was established in 1981 to honor the first Executive Secretary of WTS for her dedicated service to the organization in public service, organizational abilities and a spirit of determination that helped WTS nearly double its membership in two years. To be eligible for this $6,000 scholarship, applicants must meet the above criteria and be enrolled in a graduate degree program in a transportation-related field such as engineering, planning, finance or logistics.
Louise Moritz Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates
The purpose of the Louise Moritz Molitoris Leadership Scholarship is to motivate and reward women who demonstrate leadership in the transportation industry, ensuring that the essential leadership, skills and perspective of women are included in planning the tranportation systems of the future. Leadership does not just happen. Leaders personally invest and risk much. They take on struggles that many would avoid and persevere to reach successful outcomes. These qualities receive special attention in the selection of the winner of this $3,000 award.
President's Legacy Scholarship for Graduates
Each year, the President's Legacy Scholarship will provide a $3,000 award to a young woman pursuing a career in transportation. This scholarship will take the name of the currently serving WTS President and will change names as presidents fulfil their terms.. This year's award is the Elaine Dezenski Legacy Scholarship. Eligible candidates are pursuing graduate degrees in transportation or a related field and demonstrate leadership skills and an active commitment to community service. For this year's award, focus is on women who demonstrate leadership in bringing ideas, innovation and new approaches to transportation challenges in the US and beyond. It includes candidates who have a specific interest in addressing the impact of transportation on sustainability, land use, environmental impact, security and quality of life issues affecting communities around the globe.
Applications must be submitted through WTS Chapters. Chapters have different application deadlines; please contact the Chapter Scholarship Chair in your local area for more information. The scholarships are competitive and based on the applicant's specific transportation goals, academic record and transportation-related activities or job skills. Minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Local Chapters may have additional requirements (such as personal interviews or higher GPA). Please contact your local WTS chapter for more information.