March 19, 2014
Entomology doctoral student receives Janice Lee Fenske Award for Excellence in Wildlife Biology
Shelly Wiggam, doctoral student in entomology co-advised by Greg Zolnerowich and Brian McCornack, won the prestigious 2014 Janice Lee Fenske Award for Excellence in Wildlife Biology.
The award honors the late Janice Lee Fenske, a much-beloved fisheries biologist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at the time of her untimely death in 2005. She led a life wealthy in accomplishment and in service of people and the environment, and she was the first female fisheries biologist to work for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division.
She had a deep commitment to and passion for the environment, and for the people with whom she worked. She blazed a clear trail for female wildlife biologists to follow, and was a valued and effective mentor. The award is presented by The Wildlife Society, the North Central Division of The Wildlife Society, the Michigan and Missouri chapters of The Wildlife Society, and the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.
Wiggam was selected from more than 100 nominees from 13 US states and Canada. The Fenske Memorial Award for Excellence in Wildlife Biology winner is selected based on those attributes that characterized Fenske. The recipient’s enthusiasm to conserve and restore wildlife resources through management activities, selflessness and motivation to teach others, interest in professional involvement, and integrity, positive attitude and compassion. The winner of the Fenske Memorial Award also is selected based on academic ability and scholarly achievements.