FRIENDS Founder Lynn Davis Scholarship Program
Lynn Davis was a leading force behind the creation of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge in 1988 and has remained active with FRIENDS. In honor of her dedication, the Lynn Davis Scholarship Program has been established to assist students from Blue Ridge communities where our volunteer chapters operate. Lynn is a lifelong learner and spent her career pouring her energies into serving communities and government agencies with an education focus so we can be good stewards of our natural world.
Application Submission
Three ways to submit your application:
1 – Complete the application form and upload your attachments online.
2 – Email it to staff@friendsbrp.org.
3- Mail your completed scholarship packet to FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge, Attn: Scholarships, PO Box 20986, Roanoke, VA 24018. Note: Transcripts that must be mailed by the school will have a grace period of 5 days.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a high school senior (or equivalent if homeschooled) in the local FRIENDS Chapter’s service area. Note: A college student reapplying for the scholarship in their first year of college should use the reapplicant application emailed to them. Click these links to download PDF files for the reapplicant eligibility information and application.
- To review eligible schools:
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- List of Schools in Virginia and North Carolina
- Homeschool students are also eligible
- Please email staff@friendsbrp.org if you believe your school is missing from the list
- GPA of at least 3.0 out of a 4.0 scale or equivalent
- Plan to attend an accredited two-year or four-year institution of higher learning
- Plan to pursue a degree/career in science, environmental or cultural studies, or significantly participate as a volunteer to support activities as shown below.
- FRIENDS has a broad definition of environmental studies, which includes studies in natural resources, sciences, engineering, land management, etc.
- Relative cultural studies such as Old Time and Bluegrass music, Appalachian Studies, and more.
- Align with the mission of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge by demonstrating a commitment to working to make Blue Ridge communities better in ways that celebrate our unique culture, natural beauty, and/or quality of life.
- Complete the entire application process and submit the packet on or before midnight March 10, 2025
Required Materials
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- Provide a personal letter/statement (typed, 500 words maximum)
- On a separate sheet of paper, please prepare a letter/statement telling the selection committee about:
- your passion for the preservation of our unique culture, natural beauty, and quality of life
- your plan to impact the preservation of our unique culture, natural beauty, and quality of life for the future
- your education, career, and volunteer goals
- On a separate sheet of paper, please prepare a letter/statement telling the selection committee about:
- Provide one (1) letter of recommendation
- On a separate sheet of paper, based on the mission of FRIENDS stated on the first page of the application, the person writing a recommendation to the selection committee should explain why you are a strong candidate to receive the award.
- Provide an activity sheet (or equivalent such as a resume)
- On a separate sheet of paper, please outline:
- participation in extracurricular activities including dates of participation
- level of involvement including leadership roles
- any awards and/or honors received
- On a separate sheet of paper, please outline:
- Provide the most recent copy of your school transcript (or homeschool equivalent)
- Provide a personal letter/statement (typed, 500 words maximum)
A plan to pursue a degree/career in environmental or cultural studies is preferred. An applicant may also indicate participation in activities that align with the FRIENDS mission—what does that mean?
FRIENDS has a broad definition of environmental studies, which includes studies in natural resources, sciences, engineering, land management, relative cultural studies (such as art, history, or Old Time and Bluegrass music), and more. The intention is to support a student with a passion to help celebrate and preserve our unique culture, natural beauty and quality of life in the Blue Ridge.
Scholarship Application Deadline and Award Notification
March 10, 2025 Note: The 2025 scholarship process has closed. The 2026 application cycle will open in January 2026.
Award notification
April 15, 2025