Ryan Michael Poehling was born March 21, 1973 to Henry (Hank) and Sandra (Sandy) Poehling of La Crosse, Wisconsin. At only 16 years of age, Ryan was diagnosed with Epithelial Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that even today, very little is known about. Ryan went on to win the battle with this disease, and in 1995 earned his bachelor’s in Geography, graduating with honors, from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Along the way, he served as student representative in Gamma Theta Upsilon, the international geographical honor society. His passion for geography led him to the University of Florida where in 1997, he earned his Master’s degree, graduating with highest honors, was named Student of the Year, and was the youngest person ever nominated for Teacher of the Year. On January 16, 1999, Ryan married the love of his life, Angela Gould, in Gainesville. He continued his graduate studies at Florida taking aim at the rank of Ph.D. Nearing completion of his requirements, Ryan was again stricken with the same cancer. Still, he pressed on and presented his dissertation but sadly passed away on December 17, 2000, at age 27, surrounded by his devoted wife Angela and other family members. Although Ryan passed on before being able to defend his dissertation and finalize his Ph.D. requirements, on May 15, 2001, he was posthumously awarded his doctorate during UF’s spring commencement ceremony. Following Ryan’s passing, his family set about establishing a charitable foundation in his honor. Today, this foundation, the Ryan Michael Poehling Charitable Foundation, Inc., generously provides the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Geography students the chance to further enhance their education with the Ryan M. Poehling Memorial Scholarship along with offering the Ryan M. Poehling Memorial Fellowship to University of Florida graduate students.
An award of $1,500 will be made annually to a graduate student who best exemplifies the sustained academic excellence, commitment to departmental service and leadership of the graduate program which Ryan displayed.
Nominations will be solicited annually during the first week in October. Candidates may be nominated by any faculty member or graduate student, but may not nominate themselves.
Nominated candidates will be contacted by the Award Committee and asked to provide a one page summary of their suitability for the award, should they wish to be considered.
The Award Committee will consist of three members nominated by the Chair. The Chair may be one of the three members.
The successful candidate must provide a photograph and short biographical sketch for publication as part of the annual remembrance of Ryan.
Current and Former Poehling Fellowship Award Winners:
PhD:
2023 Ali Alruzuq
2022 Amobichukwu Amanambu
2021 Leandra Merz
2020 Cat Lippi
2019 Michael Waylen
2018 Hannah Herrero
2017 Fergus Keatinge
2016 Johanna Engström
2015 Stephanie Zick
2014 David Keellings
2013 Yang Yang
2012 Erin bunting
2010 Risa Patarasuk
2009 Pinki Mondal
2008 Keith Yearwood
2007 Jaclyn Hall
2006 Lin Cassidy
2005 Matthew Marsik
2004 James Rasmussen
2003 Natalia Hoyos
2002 Andres Guhl
2001 Anne Angelheart
Master’s
2023 Morgan Metrailer
2022 Sarah VanSchoick
2021 Holli Capps
2020 Michael Dillen
2019 Mary Megan Black
2018 Audrey Culver Smith
2017 William Kessler
2016 Joe Andreoli
2015 Hannah Herrero
2014 Sheldon Waugh
2013 Nirav Patel
2012 Erica Carlsson
2011 Caroline Staub
2010 Kevin Ash