L. A. Stoddart Range Management Scholarship
Initiated in 1974, the L. A. Stoddart Range Management Scholarship is awarded annually by the Utah Section to outstanding sophomore or junior range management students. This cash scholarship honors the memory of the late Dr. Stoddart, former head of the Range Science Department at Utah State University and a noted researcher, scholar, and educator.
2025-2026 Scholarship Details
The Utah section of SRM will be awarding two $1,500 scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. The scholarship competition is open to students who currently are sophomores or juniors in a range or range-related program at a Utah University. Applicants must also be members of the Society for Range Management. Past recipients of the scholarship may also apply; however, preference will be given to those who have not received the scholarship in the past.
Applications must be received on or before May 1, 2025 The scholarship will be awarded based on GPA, activity level with the Society for Range Management which includes involvement with a university range club, demonstrated leadership, letters of recommendation, essay and potential to contribute to the range management profession.
Required application materials
Cover page that introduces the student and describes career goals and activities in SRM and/or other range-related organizations. Include the following information: Name, birth date, address, e-mail, university, major, and expected semester of graduation. Here students may include anything they wish the committee to know about themselves.
Transcripts for all undergraduate institutions attended which include both courses taken and GPA on a 4-point scale (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
Two letters of recommendation must be included with the application or sent directly to Jeff Barnes by email from the person writing the recommendation.
An essay (2-page maximum) on “What impacts do invasive plant species have on the function and management of western rangelands?”
Applications should be sent or delivered to:
Jeff Barnesbarnes.jeffh@gmail.com
495 East 180 South
Smithfield, Utah 84335
Phone : (435) 881-2610
2025 Scholarship Recipients
Ronni Stauffer
Captivated by nature documentaries and the dedicated people working in natural resources, Ronni became determined to do the same. Her fascination focused on Utah’s rangelands, coming from time spent in the red rock landscapes of St. George. She enrolled in BYU and discovered the Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation degree. She joined the Wildlife and Range Club and gained experience working in a research lab, where she helped with ungulate collaring and collected data on cougar kills. She joined BYU’s Plant ID and URME team and enthusiastically participated in competitions at SRM state and national meetings. Throughout her life, she has worked diligently, seized opportunities, and remained focused on her childhood dream of caring for Utah’s rangelands.
Carson Steven Rodriguez
Carson was born and raised in rural Richfield, Utah. He is a senior attending Utah State University and planning to graduate with a dual major in Wildlife Ecology and Management and Rangeland Ecology and Management. While at Utah State University, he has served as treasurer and president of the USU Range Club as well as being a member of the Wildlife Society and the Native American Student Council. He has participated in Utah Section Meetings as well as National SRM meetings. Carson’s biggest challenge was working full-time while attending school full-time. Carson would like to continue his education and pursue graduate school. He would like t ocomplete a thesis on something related to range livestock interations which he feels will connect him to his Native American heritage and deep respect for the land. After school, SCarson would like a career with the federal government, such as BLM, NRCS, or a state agency.