The Award of Excellence recognizes individuals who have shown an exemplary depth, and breadth of professional achievement and who are a major force or guiding authority.
Roelofs was presented the award at the chapter’s annual conference in Eureka, April 5-7.
Since his arrival at HSU in 1970, Roelofs has impacted fisheries management and fisheries science in California and beyond by inspiring and mentoring fisheries students, many of whom have gone on to successful fisheries careers. His efforts were been recognized at the national level when he was selected to receive the American Fisheries Society's first Excellence in Fisheries Education Award in 1988.
“As one of Terry’s earliest undergraduate students, I can personally attest to the power of influence on two-plus generations of HSU-educated fisheries professionals,” says Pat Coulston, a member of the Chapter’s Awards Committee. “HSU, and Terry in particular, sent us into the world with extraordinary knowledge of fisheries biology, science, conservation, and management; and an infectious enthusiasm to do good and well with that knowledge.”
Environmental Science and Management Professor Bill Trush and HSU alumnus Darren Mierau, the North Coast Director of California Trout, Inc., were also recognized.
In honor of Roelof’s legacy, the Humboldt Fishin’ Lumberjacks, a group of HSU Fisheries alumni and friends that has met annually since 2002 to share quality fishing time together, established the Roelofs Humboldt Fisheries Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships for students pursuing an advanced degree in fisheries at HSU.
The scholarship also focuses on fisheries conservation and enhancement research in North Coast watersheds and adjacent marine waters and made its first scholarship award in 2015. The Roelofs Humboldt Fisheries Scholarship Fund is a nonprofit fund administered by the Humboldt Area Foundation and additional contributions are being sought to increase the number of scholarships offered in the future.
“It felt very meaningful to start the fund and was really a no brainer to do,” says Humboldt Fishin’ Lumberjacks member, Sharon Kramer. “Most of the Humboldt Fishin’ Lumberjacks are fisheries professionals and former loyal students of Terry’s who have done well and wanted to pay it forward. We all see how important our education was and how important HSU was because of its strong Fisheries program. Terry has given a lot to students, friends, and family and it is an honor to be able to create this scholarship in his name. We hope there will be many more contributors to the fund once other alumni know that it exists."
For information on contributing to the Roelofs Humboldt Fisheries Scholarship Fund, visit hafoundation.org/Roelofs; call Humboldt Area Foundation Donor Engagement Coordinator, Emily Baldwin, at (707) 442-2993, or contact Craig Heberer, of the Humboldt Fishin’ Lumberjacks, at craigfheberer@gmail.com or (760) 805-5984.
About Humboldt Area Foundation:
Vera Vietor established the Humboldt Area Foundation in 1972. Since then, more than $70 million in grants and scholarships have been awarded in Humboldt, Del Norte, Curry, and Trinity Counties. Humboldt Area Foundation promotes and encourages generosity, leadership, and inclusion to strengthen our communities. For more information on services provided by the Foundation please visit the Humboldt Area Foundation website at hafoundation.org or call (707) 442-2993.