Randall Mathis Scholarship for Environmental Studies

The AEF is particularly proud of the ongoing work of our Public Education Committee and its many supporters. Their work and contributions enhance and promote the educational opportunities of the AEF and expand each year. We would especially like to thank all the contributors to the Randall Mathis Scholarship and the Randy Thurman Scholarship.

Arkansas Environmental Federation's Public Education programs originated in 1974. These programs provide environmental education opportunities for a variety of individuals ranging from junior high school students to college professors. For nearly 50 years, funds have been raised to support students and their journey in Environmental education. AEF's Public Education programs sponsors are recognized throughout the year for making these programs possible.

Scholarships Applications Are Open!

Applications for AEF’s 2026 student scholarship program are now open.

The student program connects students with real-world environmental work in Arkansas and includes convention programming such as a field-based industry experience and student meeting.

Through its scholarship program, the AEF provides financial assistance to select graduate, undergraduate, and law students with ties to Arkansas. To apply, students must be majoring in environmental, natural resource programs, or a related field. Qualifying majors include, but are not limited to, Agricultural with Environmental Emphasis, Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering with Environmental Emphasis, Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, Biology, Civil Engineering with Environmental Emphasis, Environmental Engineering, Forestry, Geology, and Wildlife Management. Scholarship funding comes from the Federation's Public Education Program Fund and from the Endowment for the Randall Mathis Scholarship for Environmental Studies. Members of the Federation provide donations to these funds, making it possible to award scholarships up to $2,500.00 each year to a deserving student(s). The scholarships are designated the Randall Mathis Scholarship in honor of Randall Mathis of Arkadelphia, former longtime director of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, and the Randy Thurman Scholarship, named for longtime Director of the Arkansas Environmental Federation.

Application Criteria

• U.S. Citizen
• Attending an Arkansas university or law school, or have graduated from an Arkansas high school
• Currently an undergraduate, graduate, or law student
• Completion of 40 credit hours at time of application
• Full-time student status at time of application and for year scholarship is awarded
• Minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA (based on 4.0 system)
• Two letters of recommendation that address candidate's scholastic and personal attributes, with at least one from a faculty member in current program

Application Process

Each candidate must complete and submit an application survey along with current official transcript(s) and letters.

Selection Process

A committee formed of AEF members will make the selections. Representatives of the Federation may interview candidates during the application review. The scholarship will be awarded in October at AEF's Annual Convention.