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Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise (HNFE) Scholarships and Awards

All scholarships and awards listed are for HNFE students ONLY.

Scholarships and Awards for Undergraduate Students in HNFE

HNFE offers the following awards and scholarships to outstanding applicants. You can apply for these awards in Scholarship Central.  

The following awards and scholarships are only for students in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise (HNFE) at Virginia Tech.  

George A. Oley III Fund for Excellence

Dr. George A. Oley III received a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemistry from Virginia Tech in 1975 and a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the Medical College of Virginia in 1979. Everyone in his family attended medical school. He has an interest in community service and Virginia Tech sports. The Fund for Excellence is open to all HNFE undergraduate students.

Brenda H. Rohe Dietetic Scholarship
Given by the Rohe family in honor of Brenda Rohe, a graduate of the HNFE's dietetics program, the scholarship is given to a rising junior or senior who is a dietetics major from southwest Virginia or North Carolina who has demonstrated academic achievement, extracurricular leadership, community service, and talent for a career in dietetics. Applicants must have a permanent residence in North Carolina, or one of the following Virginia counties/cities to be eligible: Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Henry, Lee, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Roanoke, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, or Wythe.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Outstanding Senior Award, HNFE candidate
Each major in CALS selects an outstanding senior undergraduate student for their major. All seniors who plan to graduate in May, August, or December of the current academic year, with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.4 or higher, are eligible to be nominated by HNFE faculty. The awardee will be selected based on outstanding performance in several or all of the following areas: academic achievement, extracurricular activities, leadership positions, and contributions of service to the university and/or community.

Scholarhips and Awards for Graduate Students in HNFE

Margaret Ellen Carter Hepler Summer Research Fellowships

HNFE's Graduate Program Director will notify students when applications are due.

This endowment, which was established in 1991 in memory of Margaret Ellen Carter Hepler by her husband, Tillman M. Hepler, provides fellowships for graduate students in HNFE with financial support to work on their research project over the summer months. The number of awards and the stipend amount vary from year to year.

Any HNFE graduate student who is actively working towards completion of a Master of Science (MS) thesis or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) dissertation project is eligible. Priority will be given to students who have not previously been awarded this fellowship.

Note: Students may not concurrently hold both a Hepler Fellowship and a graduate assistantship for the summer. Students who have completed data collection for their degree and are in the phase of analyzing data or writing their thesis/dissertation are not eligible.

Michael Houston Memorial Scholarship

This award is given annually in memory of Michael Houston, professor emeritus and former HNFE department head. It supports the research pursuits of a graduate student in HNFE who is funded by a graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) and who demonstrates a passion for teaching and excitement for learning.

HNFE Travel Fund

HNFE supports graduate student travel to scientific conferences and professional development opportunities through an awards process. Applications are accepted throughout the year for students presenting at scientific conferences. Students may submit a request for funding one time during the academic year.

Master's and Doctoral level students in HNFE can apply only if they are presenting a paper or poster at a scientific conference or professional development meeting (e.g., American College of Sports Medicine, American Society for Nutrition)

How and when to apply

Policies and Procedures

  1. All travel fund applications should be submitted within one week of submitting a conference abstract.
  2. Students receiving the travel award will be reimbursed for costs up to the amount of $1,000. No reimbursement will be provided above the award amount.
  3. Complete the Travel Fund Reimbursement Form, as requested, and submit it to the graduate program coordinator in HNFE.
  4. Students may request funding one time during the academic year. 
  5. Meal reimbursements may only be granted if an individual is traveling overnight. All meal or food purchases will be reimbursed per diem; therefore, you do not need to keep receipts for food.
  6. Please note: Notice of travel award and funding approval must be granted prior to travel. All travel applications must be approved before travel. Retroactive applications will not be accepted.
  7. Notice of award approval will be sent one month after application submission. Further instructions and details will be included in your award email. Failure to follow provided instructions will result in loss of award.

Scholarships and Awards for both Undergraduate and Graduate Students in HNFE

Ann A. Hertzler Memorial Research Grant

Ann Hertzler was a Professor Emerita of HNFE who retired from Virginia Tech in 2001. Her work focused on nutrition issues facing families and children, and she maintained her passion for that subject even after retiring in 2001.

This annual grant, awarded by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, funds research proposals based on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Research Agenda for Dietetics. The deadline is February 10 each year. To find the application within the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website, select the black "+" button next to Research Grants. Contact the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at 312-899-4768 for more information or assistance, if needed. The Ann A. Hertzler Memorial Research Grant is available to HNFE undergraduate and graduate students.

P. Howard Massey Food and Nutrition Award

P. Howard Massey had a distinguished 36-year teaching career at Virginia Tech that included service as associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, director of Agronomic and Plant Sciences, director of International Development, and chair of the University Committee on International Programs. He valued interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving that addressed evolving issues related to food and nutrition in the United States and abroad.

The award will provide scholarships or travel funds for students traveling to present or attend a national or international conference. In addition, fuds can be awarded for appropriate training or exchange programs, including study abroad and mission trips. The award is available to HNFE undergraduate and graduate students.

 

Sebolt Fitness/Wellness Research Award 

This award, given in memory of Don Sebolt, a Professor Emeritus in HNFE who helped shape Virginia Tech's curriculum and research in health and physical education and exercise science, recognizes HNFE undergraduate or graduate student research related to the health benefits of physical activity, exercise and/or physiological aspects of exercise related to athletic performance or improved human health. Preference will be given to students who plan a career in exercise science; a health profession such as athletic training, physical therapy, or health coach; or teaching physical fitness in secondary or higher education.