Statement as issued Monday by the Fort Wayne Zoological Society:

The Fort Wayne Zoological Society is accepting applications for the Lawrence A. Ackerman Scholarship, which bestows a one-time $2,000 award to a college-bound high school senior pursuing an animal-related career.

The scholarship award is based on an applicant’s character, commitment to the stewardship of animals, financial need, and scholastic achievement. Graduating high school seniors in Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, and Whitley counties in Indiana are eligible to apply.

The Fort Wayne Zoological Society established the Scholarship in 1991 to honor the distinguished career of the late Dr. Larry Ackerman, who served as the zoo’s veterinarian for 25 years.

Interested students can download an application at http://kidszoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ackerman.pdf. Students may also request an application by calling the zoo office at 260-427-6800 or visiting their school guidance office. The annual application deadline is February 1.