about the scholarship society
The Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit, educational organization whose mission is to promote educational activities associated with the underwater world.
For over 35 years, Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society (OWUSS) has offered a variety of internships and scholarships. Our goal is to foster the development of future leaders of the marine environment. We continue to believe that by investing in special young people, by exposing them to a broad array of activities in the underwater community and giving them opportunities to work with influential people who are leaders in aquatic disciplines, we are investing in the future of our oceans and lakes.
Each year the society awards year-long scholarships designed to expose a qualified young person to a wide range of experiences in various marine-related fields. With continued generous funding from the Rolex Corporation, the awards are now known as the Rolex Scholarships. For 2006, two scholarships were awarded-- one for North America and one for Europe. For 2007, we are pleased to announce that a third Rolex Scholarship will be awarded for the Australasia region.
The society offers summer internships for one to three month periods and we direct them primarily at college undergraduates and graduating seniors. Internship recipients will receive a grant to help fund travel to/from site, room and board, and a stipend to cover living expenses. For the summer of 2007 the society is offering five internships-- four in North America and one in Europe. Our current sponsors include Divers Alert Network (DAN), the REEF Environmental Education Foundation, Rolex, Aquarena Center, and the U.S. Navy/Mercury Marine.
Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society counts among its alumni of Rolex Scholars and interns many individuals who have fulfilled their promise as leaders in the marine science and environmental communities. Craig Cary, PhD, is Professor of Marine Biology and Biochemistry at the U. of Delaware, and an expert on the extreme environments surrounding the geothermal vents of the deep ocean. Karen Van Hoesen, MD, is currently Director of the Diving Medicine Clinic at the UC San Diego Medical Center. Wesley "Rocky" Strong is a leading researcher who has studied shark behavior worldwide. Adam Ravetch is a filmmaker who has been awarded the prestigious Palm D'Or on multiple occasions and has documented the walrus population above the Arctic Circle. Lisa Truitt is now a senior producer with National Geographic Explorer. And Brian Skerry is an accomplished underwater photographer whose work has been featured in several National Geographic Magazine cover articles.
For More Information Contact:
Roberta Flanders, Executive Administrator
execadmin@owuscholarship.org