Skip links

North Wind Awards 18th Sherwood Scholarship to ISU Student

Idaho Falls, Idaho –North Wind Group is pleased to announce that the 18th Annual Tom Sherwood Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Idaho State University (ISU) student, Heather Phillips, for $7,872.

“North Wind and the supporting companies are proud to continuously support such a deserving scholarship fund, as we feel it is an important investment into the future leaders in our industry,” said North Wind President/CEO, Chris Leichtweis.

Phillips is a 4.0 sophomore at ISU, obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with an emphasis on Ecology and Conservation Biology. She is Vice President of the Idaho Falls (Upper Snake) chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society and the Ecology and Conservation Biology club; and a member of the SACNAS club at ISU. She also tutors other students in Biology, and she plans to earn a master’s degree researching the biochemical processes of plants.


“I am always grateful the opportunity to share my excitement for biology with new students in the department,” said Heather Phillips, 2019 Tom Sherwood scholarship recipient. “As I continue forward, I hope that I am able to be a inspire others within the department and the field and share my passion for our natural world.”


“The Thomas Sherwood Memorial Endowment has provided $39,575 in scholarships to twenty (20) Idaho State University students majoring in the Geology and Biology fields since its inception in 2001. Annual interest earned from the endowment balance is used to fund the student scholarships. As additional contributions are added to the balance, we will be able to distribute more scholarship funds to an increasing number of ISU College of Science and Engineering students,” said Scott Snyder, Dean of College of Science and Engineering, Idaho State University.


Tom Sherwood was one of North Wind’s first employees and was our Geosciences Department Manager until his untimely death in 2000. He was a consummate outdoorsman with a passion for geology and the environment. He graduated from ISU in 1992 with degrees in geology and biology. The Thomas Sherwood Memorial Scholarship Endowment was established by North Wind with contributions from the company, Tom’s friends and colleagues, and proceeds from golf tournaments.

Photo Caption: 2019 Scholarship recipient, Heather Phillips receives a scholarship for $7,872.
Pictured left to right: Chris Leichtweis, North Wind Group CEO/President; Heather Phillips, 2019 Tom Sherwood Scholarship Recipient; Dr. Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar, ISU College of Science and Engineering Associate Dean; and David Rodgers, ISU Associate Director of the Idaho Falls Center for Advanced Energy Studies.