July 12, 2012

Albert Smith Conservation Scholarship

Albert A. Smith was born in Omer, Mich., in 1913. He began his education in a one room schoolhouse near Omer and successfully completed his first three grades in the first year of school. Upon graduation from Flint Northern High School at age 15, he went on to receive an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and thereafter a law degree in 1939. In the mid-1950s, he opened a law office in Saginaw that later became the law firm of Smith Bovill, P.C.

Mr. Smith’s love of the law was matched by his interest in the outdoors, and in particular his beloved Ruffed Grouse. He used his rolling farm and woods to entertain his friends, clients and courtroom adversaries. He was a consummate host to anyone who shared his love for the hunt.

Al was generous with his time and resources. He supported and served on the boards of his favorite charities and civic groups, including the Salvation Army, the Ruffed Grouse Society where he served as national president, the Samaritan Center and First Congregational Church. In 1976, he was recognized for his outstanding conservation work when he received the Wildlife Conservationist of the Year Award from the Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

Qualifications

  • Saginaw County resident
  • Pursuing an associate, undergraduate, graduate degree or Career and Technical Education (CTE) training in Conservation Management
  • Part- or full-time enrollment

Evaluation Criteria

  • Special interest and skills as defined by essay (25)
  • Financial need (25)
  • Scholastic record (20)
  • Leadership (15)
  • Overall involvement in community, school and work activities (10)
  • Recommendations (5)

Interview may be requested