The scholarship was established by departmental alumna Mary Rose "Rosie" Rexing Hall.

About Mary Rose "Rosie" Rexing Hall

Departmental alumna Mary Rose "Rosie" Rexing Hall (1952-2021) earned a B.A. in Biology in 1974 from IU and then a Master's in Nutrition Science from Purdue. Following graduation, she was employed by Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, Indiana, as a dietician. Rexing Hall then worked at General Foods as a lab technician. Ultimately choosing a career in business, she joined and became part owner of Tri-State Bearing—a family-owned company founded by her father, Edward Barwe; her uncle, Linus Elsner, Jr.; and her grandfather, Linus Elsner, Sr.—from where she retired in December 2019.

Rexing Hall had fond memories of her time at Indiana University. She shared her passion for science and her love of IU with her daughter, Stephanie Rexing. Like her mom, Stephanie also earned an undergraduate degree in biology from our department. She then earned an M.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Charleston and a degree in Environmental Law from San Francisco's Golden Gate University. Stephanie now works as a Coastal Planner for the California Coastal Commission.