The Old Antarctic Explorers Association, Inc. is a tax exempt charitable organization chartered under U. S. Code 501(c)3 and is dedicated to establishing and perpetuating public awareness of U.S. Navy Operations in support of Antarctic Discovery, Exploration and Research for more than 55 years.

One of the programs in place inside the OAEA is the mechanism for the awarding of scholarships to deserving under-graduate students in need of financial assistance. Scholarship eligibility is limited to high school graduates who are associated with or mentored by a current member of the Old Antarctic Explorers Association. Eligible applicants must be accepted for undergraduate enrollment at an accredited college or university.

The scholarship program is funded primarily from member contributions that earn income to be used for scholarship awards. Life Member Dick Spaulding set the precedent for contributions to feed the scholarship “kitty” by his pledge during the 2002 reunion to raise funds for the scholarship program. During the Oxnard 2005 reunion Dick presented the chairman of the Scholarship Committee with a significant check from the Para-Rescue Group, challenging other groups to do the same. Since then, the OAEA Communicator Group with Billy-Ace Baker at the helm has contributed $5000 toward the scholarship program, and is on track for another major contribution this year. Dick’s challenge still stands. The scholarship program will be as robust as the funds that go into it. We would like to see other groups within the OAEA rise to Dick’s challenge, and we will make certain all group donations are recognized at this year’s reunion.

The steps to apply for an OAEA scholarship award are simple and straightforward. Completion of the application by the OAEA sponsor and the scholarship applicant, and addition of some supporting documentation are all that is required. Applications for the 2008-2009 school year must be received for review not later than 15 July 2008. Instructions for completion and mailing of the application are on the application form itself. The scholarship committee will review the applications and supporting documents and this year’s selections will be completed during the summer months.

Ed Hamblin
Scholarship Committee Chairman
Chesapeake, VA

• To download a Scholarship Application Form click here