Sam Ketcham Memorial Scholarship (new in 2007)

The Award

The Council of Forest Industries, Northern Operations, Forest Education Program annually provides one $1000 scholarship in memory of Sam Ketcham, one of the many pioneers who helped build the forest industry in central BC.

Samuel Kendall Ketcham (Sam) was born in Seattle, Washington in 1930 and grew up in the lumber business. He was the youngest of three sons born to Henry and Eugenia Ketcham. Sam attended Yale University and studied law at the University of Washington before becoming a partner in his father's Seattle based lumber brokerage firm, H.H. Ketcham Lumber.

In 1955, Sam and his two brothers bought a small lumber planing mill in Quesnel, B.C. and Sam moved to Quesnel to run the business. During a career that spanned three decades, Sam was the driving force behind building West Fraser into one of the country’s most well respected forest industry firms. At age 47, Sam died tragically in a helicopter crash while returning from a business trip in Northern, B.C.

This scholarship is to be awarded to the student having the highest academic standing at the end of the first year of study of Natural Resources (Forestry). Any student enrolled in the complete first year program in Natural Resources (Forestry) is eligible for the scholarship. The award will only be confirmed after the selected student has enrolled in the second year of the Natural Resources (Forestry) Program. The COFI northern education region encompasses the area from Valemount to Hazelton and Quesnel to Fort Nelson.

Eligibility

Selection Criteria and Process

Selection is based solely on academic achievement with the top student receiving the award once she/he has enrolled in the second year of the program. Selection is made by UNBC. No application is required.

Click on the logo below to access more information on this scholarship at the UNBC web site.