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CPNRD-Ron Bishop Memorial College Scholarship Program

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

CPNRD Offers $5,000 in Scholarships for College Students in Natural Resources

College students pursuing careers in natural resources are encouraged to apply for the CPNRD-Ron Bishop Memorial College Scholarship, now open for the 2025-2026 academic year. The Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) will award five $1,000 scholarships to eligible students enrolled in accredited natural resources programs.

Applicants must be college sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate students majoring in a qualifying natural resources-related field. Students must either reside within the CPNRD boundaries—from Gothenburg to Columbus along the Platte River—or have a parent who does. Previous applicants and past recipients are welcome to reapply.

Since its inception in 2007, the CPNRD scholarship program has provided financial support to 136 students. The program was renamed in 2014 in honor of Ron Bishop, CPNRD’s former general manager who served from 1972 to 2013.

Applications must be postmarked by June 30, 2025.
To apply, download the application form at cpnrd.org/education/scholarships, or contact Marcia Lee at (308) 385-6282 or lee@cpnrd.org.

Eligible Majors Include

- Agriculture: Agronomist, Engineer, Business Representative, Applied Science/Diversified
- Biology
- Civil, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering
- Conservation or Natural Resources Management
- Environmental/Natural Resources Education
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Geology or Geological Engineering
- Grazing Livestock Systems
- Hydrology or Hydrogeology
- Soil and Water Conservation
- Soil Engineering or Soil Conservation
- Rangeland Management
- Vocational/Agriculture Education
- Water Resources Specialization
- Other careers related to natural resources

Jami Harper Scholarship

The Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival and Jami Harper offer an annual $250 scholarship for students entering a water resources field. As a high school student, Jami Harper presented at the Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival. She created a class called H20Wood Squares based on the popular game show Hollywood Squares ~ her version taught students about water issues.

Due to her success in creating this class and trying to educate students about the importance of our groundwater, she placed 3rd in the Volvo for Life award, receiving $25,000 to give to any educational event she preferred. She selected to give the Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival $10,000 for a scholarship and grant program.

The scholarship program is set up to allow any Nebraska high school student who is pursuing a career in water to apply for a one-time $250.00 scholarship. The funds are held at the Grand Island Area Community Foundation. Ms. Harper’s goal is for high school students to be aware that anyone can make a difference in the world.

Scholarship Application: https://gicf.eformsolutions.com/gicf/applications