Laura T. Wetherald Professional Certification Scholarship - Maryland Recreation and Parks Association

Laura T. Wetherald Professional Certification Scholarship

The purpose of this scholarship is to assist individuals with the application fee to become certified CPRP or CPRE. Study Guides, Practice Exams, and additional learning resources are available from NRPA at an additional cost.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Currently employed as a professional in the field of Parks and Recreation in the state of Maryland.
Applicants must be a current member of the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association.
Submit test results or course completion no later than 60 days from completion
Letter of support from your organization’s director or immediate supervisor.

Who is Laura T. Wetherald?

Laura T. Wetherald was a gifted recreation professional and thoughtful friend. Laura brought warmth and enthusiasm to the lives of her coworkers and colleagues. The former Recreation Bureau Chief of Howard County Recreation & Parks, Laura Wetherald was known for her infectious laugh, smile, kindness, and generosity, which will be sorely missed by so many both professionally and personally.

Joining Howard County Recreation & Parks in 1987, Laura helped shape the department's then-new Therapeutic Recreation program and was a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities in the years that followed. In 1998, Laura was named the department’s Bureau Chief of Recreation. During her 34 years at Recreation & Parks, Laura served as the President of the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) and as a member of both the National Recreation and Parks Association’s CAPRA Commission and the Learning Education Resource Network (LERN)’s Recreation Council.

Throughout her life, Laura demonstrated the value of hard work and perseverance. She was the Howard County Employee of the Year in 1998, received MRPA’s Member of the Year award multiple times and was named a Hope Award Honoree for excellence in the field. In 2016, she was honored with election into the American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration as a Fellow. As a child, Laura even won second runner-up in the Franklin County Junior Miss Pageant (taking home the award for Best Personality).

In addition to her many professional accomplishments, Laura was a loving wife, mother, and friend. She was proud to give back to the Howard County community, serving on many local community organizations including the Columbia Festival of the Arts Board of Trustees.

Laura spoke passionately about recreation programming and management, whether at the office with coworkers or at conferences, panels, and in her daily life. In her own words, she reminded us each day that “the benefits of recreation and parks are endless!”

Fields marked with an * are required.

First Name *

Last Name *

Organization *

Email *

Phone *

Company Mailing Address *

Current Position *

Employment Start Date *

Month & Year

Immediate Supervisor/Director Name *

MRPA Involvement *

(List previous/current MRPA activities, MRPA Committees, workshops, and conferences you have attended)

Other Professional Involvement *

(List other activities, workshops and conferences you have attended)

How will certification benefit you in current role and career goals? *

Please state your financial need, along with information including other sources of funds available. *

Employer's Contribution? *

Personal Contribution? *

Total Amount Requested from MRPA? *

CPRE Applicants only!

CPRE Applicants only: Provide your current CPRP status and expiration date

Do you agree to the following terms? *

If selected, I will commit to supporting future MRPA scholarships and support by allowing my name and photo to be used in promotions or marketing materials.

Do you agree to the following terms? *

I certify the above information is true and correct. I agree to all MRPA verify any of the above information.

Acknowledgement Clause *

I hereby apply to MRPA for a scholarship and certify that I meet all Applicant Eligibility requirements. I understand and agree that, as a condition of receiving this scholarship, I am legally obligated to provide both (a) proof of attendance and/or a certificate of completion, and (b) a one-page written summary or a five-minute video summarizing the conference or program I attended, including my experience and the professional benefits gained.

These materials must be submitted to MRPA no later than two (2) weeks after the conclusion of the event or course. I acknowledge that failure to comply with these requirements will result in forfeiture of eligibility for all future MRPA scholarships.

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