Edith Mueller Park and Recreation Memorial Award

Background

Edith “Edie” Mueller matriculated to the University of Minnesota in fall, 1979 and was a park and recreation major during the early 1980s until her untimely death in May 1982. Her parents, Mildred and Van Mueller, in collaboration with the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota, have established a fitting tribute to the vitality and purposefulness of their daughter’s life. To this end, the College and the Muellers have established this memorial with the following guidelines.

Purpose

1. The Edith Mueller Memorial Award seeks to reward participation and enthusiasm of undergraduate students pursuing a program in recreation, park, and leisure studies, and to encourage students to further their involvement and deepen their commitment to this discipline. The Award may be used for the following activities: Provide one or more awards annually to undergraduate students pursuing a program in recreation, park, and leisure studies. Awards may be used to cover the cost of tuition, attendance at an appropriate conference, applicable research, and/or outreach activities.
2. Provide funding for special lectures related to programs in recreation, park, and leisure studies.

Operational details

1. One or more $1,500 awards shall be distributed during the spring semester of each academic year in a manner determined by the Program Coordinator or her/his designee.
2. To be eligible, students must be seniors (95 semester credits completed) pursuing a major in recreation, park, and leisure studies.
3. Eligible students must have a minimum of a 2.70 overall GPA and a 3.40 GPA in major courses (a minimum of 9 semester credits in courses with a REC or similar prefix).
4. Eligible students should have had at least one practical experience and some documented volunteer work in the helping professions.
5. Interested and eligible students must complete and submit the following to the Program Coordinator:
   1. The appropriate application form and necessary documentation (e.g., official transcripts) to establish eligibility.
   2. An original paper (typed, 5 pages minimum) on the following topic: The scope and importance of leisure services agencies in your home community or in a community where you currently live or work. Your paper should address the nature of the work and the contributions made by all types of leisure service organizations found in your community (e.g., public parks and recreation, quasi–public, private, commercial, outdoor, community education, and therapeutic recreation agencies).

Deadline and presentation

1. Applications must be received by March 15, 2008, to be considered by the selection committee.
2. Successful applicants must attend a brief award ceremony made at the Tucker Center Distinguished Lecture, April 22, 2008, at 7 p.m.