The Mary Jo Lake Memorial Fellowship
in Optical Sciences

Mary Jo Lake, a longtime resident of Arizona, was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1920 and passed away in July of 2000.  She established homes in various areas of the western United States as her husband's work as a metallurgical engineer was connected with active mining operations.  Before settling in Arizona, she spent a few years in Greenwich, Connecticut and Cleveland, Ohio. 

During her lifetime, Mary Jo had the opportunity to travel to many countries including remote areas of Africa, Malaysia, and Finland.

Mary Jo was the mother of two daughters who are both active in the field of fine arts.  Her older daughter, Nancy Benson, is a trustee of the Denver Art Museum and spent a number of years as a volunteer assistant to the museum in various activities.  Her younger daughter, Mary Lake Thompson, and her husband, Richard Thompson, have established a very successful company called Mary Lake Thompson, Ltd.  The company produces and markets various gift items throughout the United States and internationally.  The giftware is based on Mary's artistic designs.  Mary Jo Lake did a great deal to encourage the talents and interests of both of her daughters.

Before her death, Mary Jo Lake and her husband, James Lake, established a memorial fellowship for female students in the University of Arizona's College of Optical Sciences.  In addition to gifts to the University of Arizona, Mary Jo and her husband also established a number of foundation programs for education at the Colorado School of Mines.

The UA's Mary Jo Lake Memorial Fellowship in Optical Sciences was first awarded during the 2000-2001 academic year.  Each spring, it is offered as a recruitment incentive to an outstanding female applicant.

Scholarship Recipients

2007-2008 Lori Moore
2006-2007 Julia Craven
2005-2006 Paula Smith
2003-2004 Leah Lucas
2001-2002 Meredith Whitaker
2000-2001 Kristin Lundgren Loychik