OJEFA Scholarship Information

OJEFA currently offers scholarships to bring three aspiring young outdoors communicators to the SEOPA conference at absolutely no cost them. One is through the Lindsay Sale-Tinney Award established in 2011 and the others are made possible by the generous support of Toyota Motor Company through its "Let's Go Places" awards. Recipients will learn about all aspects of outdoor communications from the people who make it happen day in and day out. Applications for all awards are made through the link below.

Toyota Presents the  "Let's Go Places" Scholarships to Bring Two More Aspiring Young Communicators to the  SEOPA Annual Fall Conference

Thanks to the forward-thinking and generous support of Toyota, two additional aspiring young communicators will be able to attend the SEOPA conference each fall courtesy of the Toyota "Let's Go Places" scholarships. The same benefits and application processes apply as listed below for the Lindsay Sale-Tinney Award with the following exception:  Travel expenses beyond the $750 will be considered on a case-by-case basis and granted when deemed necessary and feasible.

See what previous recipients have to say about the Lindsay Sale-Tinney Award and attending the SEOPA conference: 

Lindsay Sale-Tinney Award

In honor of the late Lindsay Sale-Tinney, the Outdoor Journalist Education Foundation of America (OJEFA) chooses one aspiring young outdoors communicator to attend each annual SEOPA fall conference.

Meet and learn from some of the most talented

outdoor communicators in the country!

APPLICATION (Accepted between January 1 and July 31)

The Lindsay Sale-Tinney Award and Toyota "Let's Go Places" Award recipients receive:

• free conference registration (includes all sessions and meals)

• four free nights lodging

• up to $750 toward travel expenses

Requirements:

• applicants may range in age from 12 to 25 years old  

• must have demonstrated a strong interest in actively working toward a career in outdoor communications   

• college students enrolled in Journalism and/or Forestry and Wildlife classes are preferred, but such course study is not mandatory

Applicants must submit:

• the official application

• two letters of reference

• tear sheets of previously published work, if any (not required)

• biographical profile/resumé and photo    

• essay (400-600 words) describing why they wish to receive the scholarship, why they are deserving of the scholarship, what they hope to gain from the experience, and what they perceive as their long-term goals in terms of outdoors communications. If applying as an aspiring photographer, videographer, radio personality, etc. applicants should provide portfolios, videos, audio files, or any other related items that demonstrate his talents in those areas.

If selected, applicants must agree to:

• travel to the annual conference with the understanding that they will be reimbursed up to $750 for travel expenses (airfare or standard mileage fees)

• take part in seminars, breakout day, shooting day and other conference functions

• attend the awards banquet or other designated function to accept the award

• accept the guidance of assigned mentors 

• take part in a feedback session to answer questions from a pre-determined panel of SEOPA members

• conduct themselves in a professional, legal and courteous manner while at the SEOPA conference

Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at his or her own expense.

The winner will be selected and notified by August 15.

Questions should be addressed to Lisa Snuggs at the SEOPA-OJFEA office via e-mail at [email protected] or by calling 704-961-7614.

Click here for an application. (Apply between January 1 and July 1 each year.)

Click here to read about the 2017 award recipient.

Click here to read about the 2016 award recipient.

Click here to read about the 2015 award recipient. 

Click here to read about the 2014 award recipient.

About Lindsay Sale-Tinney

Dr. Lindsay Sale-Tinney was an accomplished angler, photographer, writer, magazine editor and businesswoman. She attended East Carolina University graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree and then served an internship at Duke University for Speech and Hearing Pathology. Following her studies there, she attended Vanderbilt University earning her Master of Science Degree and a PhD. She worked as a chief liaison for the Office of Child Development under Governor Ray Blanton. Her entrepreneurial spirit motivated her to join the business world. Lindsay was very active in community affairs, being solely responsible for acquiring a home for Maury Magic Riders. She was the recipient of numerous awards, including the Susan B. Anthony Award, Woman of the Year, and Outdoor Photographer of the Year. Lindsay moved to Columbia, Tenn., with her husband Stu in 1988 and started Atlantic Pools. They built their dream home and horse farm known as Southwind Farms. Lindsay’s greatest loves were her family, showing horses, world travel, enjoying the outdoors and entertaining friends. From the moment Lindsay joined this world, her life was a celebration. Her adventurous spirit touched lives not only here but in her travels abroad. It is in that same spirit that we honor Lindsay with a scholarship in her name.

Tim Tucker Memorial Outdoor Communications College Scholarship

Gary Giudice of Blue Heron Communications and Jim Shepherd of The Outdoor Wire network founded the Tim Tucker Memorial Scholarship at the 2012 SEOPA Conference in memory of legendary fishing writer and longtime SEOPA member Tim Tucker. Tucker, who died in a tragic automobile accident in  2007, was best known as a senior editor for Bassmaster Magazine and BASS Times. He served SEOPA as president in 1991.

Once significantly funded, the Tim Tucker Memorial Scholarship will provide an annual award of $1,000 to one college student majoring in communications with the intent of working in the outdoors industry as a writer, publisher, photographer, blogger, broadcaster, and/or public relations or communications specialist.