We are thrilled to announce an upcoming scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year—the Dr. Donald R. Knepper Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship has been funded in perpetuity by an estate gift to the Conservancy by Dr. Knepper and will be administered in partnership with the Sandusky County Community Foundations (SCCF).
Don Knepper was a well-loved member of our community. His life’s work was as a veterinarian, providing excellent care and treatment for the fur covered family members. Dr. Knepper strived to do right by his animal patients and their family, but he did not only work to protect and care for the animals he treated—he also turned his attention to the land and the future generations that may walk upon it.
Don held a deep seeded passion for conservation of his rural heritage. He put this passion into action by permanently protecting his family’s farm in Gibsonburg so that it may forever grow food, provide habitat for wildlife and serve as a cultural heritage site for the betterment of future generations. This scholarship will help those future generations continue to protect and enhance our landscape as they traverse their own path in the environmental field.
We are incredibly pleased to be able to offer this scholarship. With every step forward in supporting education, we are able to help foster an opportunity for students to pursue a fulfilling career and play an active role in the land that they love. It is exciting to be a part of supporting the current generation as they in turn will one day take the reins and responsibility of stewarding our landscape. Until then and beyond, we will continue to support students who understand the importance of taking care of the land beneath our feet.
About the Scholarship
The scholarship will award $1,000 per year to an incoming college freshman graduating from a high school located in any county of Black Swamp Conservancy’s service area and will be renewable by eligible scholars for a maximum of four years. To be eligible for renewal, the scholar must maintain a 3.0 GPA and remain in a program related to the Conservancy’s mission. In addition to the $1,000, scholars will receive four free tickets to the Black Swamp Conservancy’s annual fundraising event and are eligible (but not obligated) for a spot on the Black Swamp Conservancy’s paid seasonal field crew during summer breaks.
The scholarship will be available for application this January through the SCCF’s scholarship page. The scholarship is currently open to donations through the SCCF.
