Topics: College of Sciences and Humanities, Scholarships

February 22, 2012

Biology professor emeritus Thomas McComish and his wife, Carol, have contributed $26,500 to create a scholarship for Ball State University students pursuing an aquatic biology and fisheries degree.

Hired by Ball State in 1968, McComish developed a new program in fisheries biology. He founded and directed the aquatic biology and fisheries option in the Department of Biology and established the Aquatic Biology and Fisheries Center. McComish's scientific research on Lake Michigan contributed to a better understanding of the lake's ecology with an emphasis on the yellow perch population dynamics. After 32 years at Ball State, McComish retired in 2000.

The Thomas & Carol McComish Scholarship will be available to students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who have at least sophomore standing and are pursuing an aquatic biology and fisheries degree or graduate studies in fisheries. The students should demonstrate an interest in fisheries biology through at least one of the following activities: professional experience such as on-the-job training with an agency or firm; membership in the American Fisheries Society or Indiana Chapter of AFS, completed biology course work in aquatic biology and fisheries such as ichthyology, limnology and fish management.

Availability of the scholarship is dependent upon an award selection process established by Ball State and its academic departments. For specifics about this scholarship, contact the biology department at 765-285-8820.

For more information about other scholarships available at Ball State, contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at 765-285-5600 or visit www.bsu.edu/finaid.

By Mallory Sturgeon