Three law students interested in studying natural resources law were awarded scholarships by non-profit organizations.

Stephen Gary and Aaron Meek were awarded $3,000 scholarships from the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation that is based in Lexington, Kentucky, said Jonella Frank, College of Law spokeswoman.

Both organizations, the Energy and Mineral and Law Foundation and the Rocky Mountain Miner Law Foundation, opened the scholarship competition only to students from law schools that are members of the organizations, Frank said.

Out of the 24 law schools that are members of the EMLF, Gary and Meek were among 12 people who were chosen to receive the scholarship, she said.

Because the EMLF predominately caters to coal producers in the eastern U.S., Meek said, receiving the award was a pleasant surprise.

“I think this award truly validates the national prestige that OU Law has attained in the field of energy law under the leadership of professor Owen Anderson,” Meek said.

Anita Ayisi and Gary received scholarships from the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, which has 30 law school members from Canada and the US, Frank said.

RMMLF, which is based in Colorado, awarded 20 scholarships to law students, Franks said.

The scholarships are given “to encourage students who have the potential to make significant contributions to scholarship in natural resources law,” she said.

Gary, who was awarded scholarships from both organizations, said he is thankful to the RMMLF for its generosity and interest in helping law school students.

“This scholarship will help me with the financial burdens associated with law school and will ultimately help provide me with the freedom to work in the areas of law that interest me most: oil and gas and tax law,” Gary said.