This scholarship programis named for Dr. Ada Hayden, member of the Iowa State College of Botany faculty, 1920 - 1950. Dr. Hayden received her Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 1918 -- the fourth person to receive this ISU degree and the first woman. Hayden was appointed Assistant Professor of Botany in 1920. She received The Iowa Conservation Hall of Fame Award from the Iowa Chapter of the Wildlife Society in 1967. Hayden was curator of the Iowa State Herbarium from 1934 until her death in 1950. In January of 1988 the Iowa State herbarium was renamed the Ada Hayden Herbarium in honor of Dr. Hayden.

Open to Iowa State or transfer students who will be classified as sophomores or juniors during the upcoming academic (2008-09) year, are in science, technology, or math curricula, ( STEM ) and have a minimum GPA of 2.8. (Note: If you will be entering the upcoming academic year with more than 66 earned semester hours, you must submit a statement verifying your requirement to complete at least two more years in your current undergraduate major.) The Ada Hayden Scholars Program will work to connect undergraduate women in STEM majors with each other and professional women as well as provide a leadership experience. The program will create a team of women in STEM fields who will

• Meet as a group (monthly) for professional development and social programs
• Develop and execute a group service learning project

Selected scholars will receive a $1000 scholarship for the 2008-09 academic year for their participation in the program. Recipients will be chosen based on GPA, work experiences (campus and previous internships), leadership experiences, involvement in activities, and an essay. Multiple scholarships are awarded.

While demonstration of financial need is not required, a personal statement of financial need may be considered as one criterion if the applicant wishes to include such information in her application.