Randy Nuessle Memorial Scholarship Continues for a 7th Year

CAPE MAY – The Nature Center of Cape May is pleased to announce that the Randy Nuessle Memorial Scholarship Fund is being offered for a seventh year in a row. This work-study program provides recipients with a $3,000 award for each year through-out four years of college. Administered by Nature Center Director, Gretchen Whitman, the fund seeks to promote a deeper understanding and awareness of the natural sciences while encouraging responsible stewardship of our shared natural resources.
The fund was established by long time New Jersey Audubon members and volunteers, Barbara and Warren Nuessle in honor of their 16 year-old son, Randy, who died in 1984 after a long and courageous battle with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy. The Nuessles sought to honor their son’s memory by providing a benefit for other young people from Cape May County.
According to Mrs. Nuessle, “We know that Randy would have loved the Nature Center and taking part in its activities.  As a youngster, his happiest days were spent exploring the sandy beaches of the Jersey shore and swimming in the ocean.  Later, when he could no longer walk, he was still able to move confidently and easily through the water.”   
This scholarship is unique in that it not only provides funding to be used towards the recipient’s college education, but it also offers valuable work experience through the internship with the Nature Center of Cape May. As a work study scholarship, selected students are obligated to serve as interns during the school year or summer for a total of 150 hours. In addition, the Nature Center staff serves as the intern supervisors and assist students and their schools in obtaining college credit under the school’s cooperative education programs. In every respect, the Randy Nuessle Memorial Scholarship Fund is a win-win-win opportunity for the student, the community and New Jersey Audubon, and uniquely affords a clear model of a couple whose answer to a personal heartache was to demonstrate a model of “giving back.”
Eligibility for the fund is limited to graduating seniors from designated high schools in Cape May County. A committee, composed of members representing the Nature Center of Cape May and the Cape May community, ensures that selected students have demonstrated academic excellence while giving special consideration to those with financial need.
Interested students should request a scholarship application through their school guidance department, or by contacting the Director, Gretchen Whitman by calling: 609-898-8848 or email: Gretchen.whitman@njaudubon.org.