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Wildlife For Everyone Foundation Announces 5 Recipients Of 2024 Student Scholarships

The Wildlife For Everyone Foundation has selected five students as recipients of their 2024 annual student scholarships-- Samantha Bryn (Northampton County); Terra Haines (Clearfield County); Grace Miller (Centre County); Brooke Phillips (Penn State Student); and Karter Witmer (Tioga County).

These students were chosen based on a demonstration of exemplary academic achievement and commitment to furthering the conservation of wildlife and natural resources in Pennsylvania.

Samantha Bryn

(Hellertown, PA) Samantha is expected to graduate from Penn State’s University Park campus in December 2024 with a B.S. in Wildlife & Fisheries Science and a minor in Biology & Forest Ecosystems.

Samantha has taught environmental education, she has also assisted in bird banding, turtle telemetry and salamander surveys.

She has also been a Wildlife & Outreach intern for the Game Commission in Stevens, PA, a Field and Research Assistant on Salamander Population & Management Surveys with the Department of Ecosystem Science & Management at Penn State University.

Samantha has an interest in fieldwork and would like to do more of this in the future across the U.S. She is planning to study abroad next fall to continue her love of learning.

Terra Haines

(DuBois, PA) Terra will graduate from Penn State’s DuBois campus in May 2024 with an Associate of Science degree in Wildlife Technology in which she is in the Honors Program.

Terra has worked as an Assistant Herpetologist – Timber Rattlesnake Construction Monitor for the WHM Group in State College and Wildlife Specialists in Wellsboro, PA.

She has done extensive research on Timber Rattlesnakes and has several permits for amphibian and reptile handling.

Terra would like to become a Qualified Bog Turtle Surveyor with the PA Fish and Boat Commission. She wants to become the most well-rounded naturalist she can.

Grace Miller

(State College, PA) Grace is expected to graduate from Penn State’s University Park campus in May of 2026 with a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science-Wildlife Option and a minor in Forest Ecosystem Management.

Grace has taken several courses aimed at wildlife and the conservation of wildlife; she was also awarded the Irvin C. Reigner Scholarship for exemplary students in Penn State’s College of Agriculture.

She is a member of the Penn State Chapter of the Wildlife Society where she acts as the event planner and is also the vice president.

After graduation, she would like to obtain at least a master’s degree, possibly a Ph. D and she would like to become a Wildlife Biologist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. She would also like to study abroad.

Brooke Phillips

(Ocean City, MD) Brooke is enrolled at the Penn State University Park Campus where she is pursuing a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science with an intended minor in Equine Science.

She takes part in many extracurricular activities in addition to her volunteer work.

She currently works at the Penn State Deer Research Facility, the Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, Wildfire Ranch and Duck’s Unlimited.

She has also taken part in several research projects, currently the effects of rainfall on whitetail deer antler size. She is also a member of several organizations.

After graduation she would like to become a wildlife biologist specializing in cervids, where she would like to become the number 1 female wildlife biologist on the East Coast.

Karter Witmer

(Wellsboro, PA) Karter is enrolled at Penn State DuBois where he is pursuing a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. He already holds an associate in science degree in Wildlife Technology.

He has worked as a Seasonal Avian Ecologist for the Warnell School of Forestry; a work-study in the Wildlife Technology Program at Penn State DuBois; a wildlife biology intern with the Game Commission; intern with the Keystone Elk Country Alliance.

His certifications and memberships include board member of the PA Society of Ornithology; a hunter safety course; a project wild teacher workshop; a National Chapter of The Wildlife Society Member; a PA Chapter of the Wildlife Society Member; and a Basic Course for Reptile Users. He was the president of the Penn State DuBois Chapter of the Wildlife Society.

He has volunteered as a board member for the Pennsylvania Society of Ornithology; as a bander for the Jamestown New York Banding Station and the Penn State DuBois Banding Station. He has held many honors and won many awards.

Click Here for more information on the Scholarship Program.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation website. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

The Foundation promotes wildlife conservation and education in Pennsylvania and supports projects for wildlife and wetland habitat improvement, creek and lake restoration and to increase student educational opportunities.

(Photos: Samantha Bryn, Terra Haines, Grace Miller, Brooke Phillips and Karter Witmer.)

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