The Fort Wayne Zoo is now accepting applications for the 2026 Lawrence A. Ackerman Scholarship, a one-time $3,000 award for college-bound high school seniors pursuing careers in animal-related fields. The award has been increased by $1,000 from previous years.
Established in 1992 by his family, the scholarship honors the late Dr. Larry Ackerman. In his 30 years of service in private practice and as Zoo’s veterinarian, Dr. Ackerman became known for his professionalism, compassion, and generosity.
The scholarship aims to support students demonstrating character, commitment to animal stewardship, financial need, and scholarship achievement. Graduating seniors from Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, and Whitley counties in Indiana are invited to apply.
“Like many seniors heading to college, I was applying for scholarships to help pay for my schooling when I found the Lawrence A. Ackerman Scholarship. Winning the scholarship helped me to achieve my dreams and work in the animal science field,” says Kristi Murray, a scholarship winner in 2016 who completed her bachelors degree and now works at the Fort Wayne Zoo as a Zookeeper.
Interested students can click here to apply. The application deadline is March 1, 2026.