Scholarships

URPA offers five different Professional Scholarships each year to help further our member's education and careers.

There are four $1,000 Professional Scholarships named after Iconic Parks & Recreation Professionals and Organizations.

  • The Great West Recreation Scholarship
  • The Steve & Georgia Carpenter Scholarship
  • The Fred & Judy Tamagawa Scholarship
  • The Nancy & Joe Day Scholarship

The fifth scholarship is The Michael J Peterson Learn & Lead Scholarship of $2,500. This scholarship requires attending a national training and a commitment to presenting information learned in each of the four URPA Regions and at the Annual URPA Conference.

Please apply for URPA Scholarships below, which opens annually on November 1st.

Fred & Judy Tamagawa Professional Development Scholarship
Fred And Judy

With a career spanning decades in the parks and recreation industry, Fred Tamagawa emerged as a distinguished leader in our profession, leaving a lasting impact on the Utah Recreation and Parks Association (URPA). Throughout his tenure, he held multiple board positions, serving as URPA Executive Secretary from 1983 to 1991, followed by 12 years as Executive Treasurer from 1991 to 2003, and culminating in his term as URPA President from 2004 to 2005. Fred's vision, leadership, and dedication played a pivotal role in shaping the direction, sustainability, and success of our association.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Fred received the Service to URPA Award in 1994 and was honored with the URPA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. Understanding the value of continuous professional development, he championed access to training and education for parks and recreation professionals. His commitment to this cause led to the establishment of the Fred and Judy Tamagawa Professional Development Scholarship in 2013. Funded through annual scholarship auctions, this scholarship is a testament to Fred and Judy's unwavering dedication to the profession.

Throughout Fred's 25+ years of service on the URPA Board of Directors, his wife, Judy, has been his steadfast supporter and “right-hand person.” Her active involvement in conferences, volunteer efforts at check-ins, contributions to scholarship auctions, and genuine friendships with countless parks and recreation professionals have made her an invaluable member of our community.

Steve & Georgia Carpenter Professional Development Scholarship
Steve and Georgia

Steve Carpenter dedicated 23 years to the Utah Department of Natural Resources, serving in the Parks and Recreation Division as a comprehensive planner, administrative assistant to the Director, and Park Manager. His contributions to the field earned him prestigious honors, including the 1996 URPA Service to the Professional Award and the 1999 Lifetime Achievement Award.

After retiring from state service, Steve took a one-year break before stepping into the role of URPA Executive Director, a position he held with dedication for 12 years until his retirement in July 2011. His tenure was defined by passionate advocacy for the profession, as he engaged with national organizations, collaborated with leaders at all levels of government, and built strong networks across the country. His impactful leadership continues to serve as a lasting model for effecting positive change within our profession.

Always by his side, Steve's wife, Georgia, played an integral role in URPA, contributing to its growth and success. In recognition of their enduring impact, the URPA Board of Directors established the Steve and Georgia Carpenter Professional Development Scholarship in 2013, encouraging future generations to uphold their legacy of stewardship and leadership in the profession.

Nancy & Joe Day Professional Development Scholarship
Nancy and Joe

To honor Nancy Day's remarkable 37+year career in parks and recreation, as well as the inspiration and support of her husband, Joe, a professional development scholarship was established in their names.

Nancy's career began in campus recreation at the University of Utah and expanded through leadership roles at Salt Lake County and Cottonwood Heights. She later became Director of the Family Fitness Center in West Valley City before rising to Director of Parks & Recreation. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her collaborative leadership, dedication to community advocacy, and commitment to mentoring countless professionals across the state. Her passion for inclusive programming, particularly for veterans, has left a lasting impact.

Nancy's service to URPA has been equally influential. She has held multiple positions on the URPA Board of Directors, including serving as President from 2013 to 2014. She was honored with the Outstanding Executive Professional Award in 2016 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024. Nancy played a key role in founding URPA's Leadership Academy and remains a driving force behind the program, currently serving as the committee chair.

This scholarship, established in 2024, is a tribute to Nancy's lasting contributions, ensuring that her legacy of leadership, mentorship, and professional development continues to inspire future generations in the field of parks and recreation.

Great Western Recreation Professional Development Scholarship
Great Western Recreation

Continuous learning is fundamental to personal growth and leadership in any organization. At Great Western Recreation, we believe professional development is essential and deeply embedded in our core values. Our founding member, Rich Boyce, a former professor at Utah State University, and his successor, Steve Kyriopoulos, a parks and recreation professional and Utah State graduate, both championed the importance of education. We are proud to carry forward this commitment by supporting parks and recreation professionals in their pursuit of knowledge through the Great Western Recreation Professional Scholarship.

Michael J Peterson Learn & Lead Scholarship
Michael J Peterson

In 2021, the URPA Board of Directors established the Michael J. Peterson Learn and Lead Scholarship. This scholarship honors Mike Peterson's extraordinary contributions to the field of parks and recreation in Utah, recognizing over 50 years of dedicated service that has left a lasting impact on his colleagues and the profession as a whole.

Mike's influence extends far beyond his immediate community, county, and state. He began his career as a young professional with the Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation Department and steadily rose through leadership positions, including Deputy Director of Salt Lake County Aging Services, Associate Division Director for Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, Division Director for Hansen Planetarium, and Director of Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Services. His commitment to public service also led him into politics, where he was elected to the Board of Trustees for the Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation Service Area while still serving Salt Lake County. Following his retirement, he continued his leadership journey as the Director of the Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation Service Area and later as Mayor of Cottonwood Heights.

Mike's leadership has had a profound impact on both regional and national levels, as well as within URPA. He has held various roles on the URPA Board of Directors, including serving as President from 1992 to 1993 and as NRPA Southwest Regional Representative. His dedication and influence have strengthened URPA's mission, and his contributions were recognized with the URPA Outstanding Executive Professional Award in 2013 and the URPA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

A true leader, mentor, and advocate for lifelong learning, Mike Peterson has inspired countless professionals in the parks and recreation field. His passion for education and continuous improvement is reflected in the Michael J. Peterson Learn and Lead Scholarship, which provides financial support to professionals committed to making a lasting impact in Utah's parks and recreation sector. Scholarship recipients are expected to actively participate in training and meetings, using their acquired knowledge to further URPA's mission and enhance the profession.