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WKU meteorology student Dallas McKinney has been selected for the Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship. (Photo by Witney Hardin)

WKU student Dallas McKinney of Mayfield is one of 120 undergraduate students selected for the Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship. He will receive up to $9,500 to support two years of academic study and a paid summer internship at a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facility.

McKinney, a third-year meteorology major, is the son of Tonja and Timothy McKinney. He previously attended West Kentucky Community and Technical College.

“I believe this recognition and experience will prove to be quite the investment into the great potential I see in Mr. McKinney,” said Dr. Joshua Durkee, associate professor of meteorology at WKU. “I look forward to working with Dallas in our program.”

Administered by NOAA, the scholarship honors the legacy of Sen. Ernest Hollings of South Carolina. Sen. Hollings played a major role in the creation of NOAA and the enactment of a number of laws to protect the environment, such the Sustainable Fisheries Act and the Oceans Act. The Hollings Scholarship is designed to increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science and recruit students for public sector careers with NOAA and other sciences agencies at all levels of government.

McKinney plans to pursue a career as a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. He said he is excited and proud to represent his home, western Kentucky, in the program.

“I first want to thank the Lord for giving me this opportunity, and also my parents who have loved me and supported my dream of becoming a meteorologist,” McKinney said. “I want to additionally thank Dr. Scott Dobler from WKU and Dr. Victor Taveras from West Kentucky Community and Technical College for writing my reference letters that helped me be selected for this program.”

McKinney is the second student from WKU to be selected for the scholarship within the past five years. He sought guidance from Dr. Audra Jennings, director of the Office of Scholar Development, in preparing his Hollings Scholarship application.

About the Office of Scholar Development: The Office of Scholar Development is committed to helping WKU students in all majors and degree programs develop the vision, experience and skills to be independent, engaged scholars. OSD welcomes the opportunity to work with students interested in nationally-competitive scholarships.

Contact: Audra Jennings, (270) 745-5043