Lester Scholarships
Lester Grants
Turner Grants
Emory College Grants
Study Abroad Grants

James G. Lester Scholarship

James G. Lester was the founder and first chairman of the Geology Department at Emory University. An Emory College graduate, Lester joined the Emory faculty in 1919 and went on to receive his Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Colorado in 1938. He was directly responsible for securing grants and gifts to build the Geology Building on campus in 1949 (now renamed the Anthropology Building) and to build the geology Field Camp in Ringgold, GA. For over 50 years Lester was a dedicated mentor to many Emory students. He was deeply honored to have many of these same students contribute to the James G. Lester Endowment Fund, contributions which continue to fund his namesake scholarship fund.

Congratulations to 2008 Lester Scholarship winner Ryan Jones

Previous Lester Scholarship winners

The department of Environmental Studies offers scholarship opportunities each year for students of earth sciences who are majoring or minoring in environmental studies.  Applicants for this award must have completed ENVS 131 and 132 (or Oxford College equivalents) to be eligible for consideration.

James G. Lester Scholarships

A $5,000 Scholarship is available to one rising Senior each year. To be eligible, the student must be an ENVS major, have a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 and a GPA in ENVS greater than 3.5.  The student should show leadership as an ENVS student (within and/or outside the department).  The student should submit a statement of interest that outlines the student’s future plans.  The scholarship can only be used as a tuition supplement.  Applications will be favored if the student is conducting research with an ENVS faculty member or is enrolled in the ENVS/MPH program.  

The following criteria are considered in the selection process:

1.      A record of significant leadership in the life of the Emory community and/or the Atlanta community

2.      Intellectual excellence

3.      Excellent speaking and writing abilities

4.      Strong interpersonal skills

 Important Dates

Applications are due to the Environmental Studies office on January 31.

The scholarship recipient will be announced March 1. 

Applications are available in the office online.

Click for an MS Word Version or an Adobe Acrobat Version

For additional information contact Undergraduate Degree Program Coordinator at 404-727-9504.