The gift that keeps giving. Year after year.

The transformative power of endowments allows the ecological ideas sparked by Eugene Odum to become a reality—now, and for generations to come. Generous Odum School alumni, friends and faculty can establish named scholarships, fellowships and professorships that are invested with the UGA Foundation to continue to offer support, year after year. 

ODUM CHAIR IN ECOLOGY 

Created with donations from IBM and the Odum Ecological Foundation in the 1980s and enhanced by a generous donation from Eugene P. Odum’s estate, this fund supports distinguished scholars in Ecology at the University of Georgia.  

MARTHA ODUM DISTINGUISHED PROFESSORSHIP IN ECOLOGY 

Created in 2023 by a generous donation from Eugene P. Odum’s estate and investment success from the Odum Chair in Ecology, this fund supports distinguished scholars in the Odum School of Ecology. 

JOHN SPENCER DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS IN ECOLOGY 

In memory of Odum School graduate student John Spencer, this fund provides competitive research fellowships for incoming students in the M.S. Ecology program. The fellowship honors John’s legacy and passion for freshwater science, conservation and ecological restoration. 

JAMES E. BUTLER JR. GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS IN ECOLOGY 

Created with a generous donation from James E. Butler, Jr., this fund provides competitive research fellowships for incoming graduate students studying aquatic ecology, water quality and land use in Georgia and surrounding states in cooperation with the River Basin Center. The fellowship honors Jim’s love of fishing in Georgia rivers that instilled in him a deep regard for the environment. 

DELIA OWENS FELLOWSHIP IN ECOLOGY 

Created in 2023 with a generous donation from Odum School alumna Delia Owens, this fund provides competitive research fellowships for incoming PhD students in Ecology. The fellowship honors Delia’s a scholarship she received as a graduate student studying zoology at UGA. This award pays it forward for future ecologists to make a difference. 

FRANK GOLLEY MEMORIAL FUND 

In memory of the former Institute of Ecology Director Frank Golley, this fund supports competitive awards recognizing graduate students exhibiting leadership qualities and proven success at fostering intellectual activity among the faculty and students of the Odum School. 

DR. REBECCA REYBURN SHARITZ AND CARL BYRNE HATFIELD FELLOWSHIP 

In memory of Dr. Rebecca Sharitz, professor emerita and world-renowned wetlands ecologist, and her husband Carl Hatfield, this fund supports a competitive fellowship for doctoral candidates in the Odum School or Department of Plant Biology studying at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. 

MEYER-HELFMAN GRADUATE TRAVEL AWARD 

Created with a generous donation from retired Odum School faculty Judy Meyer and Gene Helfman, this fund supports graduate student travel awards for conferences and activities related to the intersection of science, public policy and conservation. 

GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES FUND IN ECOLOGY 

Created with a generous donation from an emeritus Odum School faculty member, gifts to this fund support the graduate program by providing competitive awards that enrich the diversity of the Ecology graduate student academic experience. 

ODUM SCHOOL TROPICAL ECOLOGY TRAVEL AWARDS 

Created with a generous donation from retired Odum School faculty Ron Carroll and Carol Hoffman, this fund supports travel for Ecology undergraduate studies in tropical climates. Due to the Odum School’s tradition of study abroad programs in Costa Rica, students traveling to Costa Rica for Tropical Ecology courses are given first preference. 

RICHARDSON-GOLLEY UNDERGRADUATE SUPPORT FUND 

Created with generous donations from retired Odum School faculty Thelma Richardson, this fund provides competitive awards encouraging individual excellence in undergraduate studies, including success in research and citizenship. 

JAMES W. AND KAREN G. PORTER ENDOWMENT 

In honor of retired faculty Jim Porter and Karen Porter, this fund supports competitive awards recognizing exemplary undergraduate students who demonstrate great passion for ecological science and research. 

Interested in supporting ecologists for generations to come?

Let’s talk! If you would like to discover ways to leave a legacy at the Odum School through endowed scholarships, professorships, and naming opportunities, please contact Melissa Lee at 706-542-6007 or [email protected].