Laura Starke Memorial Bursary (Rhodes University)

Rhodes University owes its unique character among South African universities to a combination of factors - historical, geographical, cultural and architectural. Its history is a chronicle of the people whose intellect, vision and courage created and sustained a university, often against seemingly insuperable odds. Successive generations of Rhodians, imbued with their independence of thought, have had an influence on southern Africa and world affairs out of all proportion to their small numbers.

The award is made each year based on nominations received from the Head of Department for Honours, Masters or PhD studies in one of the following fields: Botany, Entomology, Microbiology and Zoology. The bursary is for one year only and is awarded for full-time (in attendance) study. The bursary is in memory of Laura C Starke who graduated in Entomology and Botany at Rhodes University in 1969. She was a true nature lover and worked in the Protea Unit in Stellenbosch. She lost her life in a mountaineering accident on 26 October 1975. In making a nomination, Dr Starke stipulated that the following should be taken into account: “ …dedication to nature is to be the deciding criterion and not necessarily academic merit …”.

Application process: Please provide a letter of motivation and the student’s CV and full academic records. To: pgfunding@ru.ac.za