Frank J. Varriale
Johns Hopkins University: School of Medicine
Center for Functional Anatomy and Evolution
1830 East Monument Street
Baltimore, MD 21205

August 14, 2003

Neal L. Larson, President
Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences
P.O Box 643
Hill City, SD 57745

Dear Neal and Members of the Association:

I extend to you my deepest appreciation and gratitude for presenting me with the James R. Welch Scholarship in Invertebrate Paleontology. Your decision to support my research could not have come at a more critical time. Now that my thesis is complete, my degree in hand, and I am binding the last copies of said document for distribution I have freedom to examine the history of its development. The crucial time I speak of occurred during the research phase of my thesis. As funding invariably does, mine began to run out. Unfortunately, this was at a time when I needed to visits colleagues and collections for comparative work. Your contribution was vital in allowing me to complete this most important chapter in my research.

Because my thesis deals with the ammonite biostratigraphy of north central New Mexico and its correlation with the San Juan Basinand Great Planes Regions,consultation with Dr. William A. Cobban was a must. In addition, I needed to examine the extensive ammonite collection that he overseas at the United States Geological Survey in Denver. Because of your generosity the aforementioned visit was possible and my thesis was propelled toward completion. Your support also assisted me in the acquisition of time and materials needed to prepare a rather large (88 cm long)Inoceramid clam, collected as part of my thesis.

I would also like to individually thank Neal Larson for his assistance in my research. Neal, your donation of time and guidance in ammonite morphology, access to ammonites in your care, and the use of your extensive library was a much-needed boost to the progression and completion of my work. Again, I thank you all. My thesis; "Ammonite Biostratigraphy of the Cretaceous System (Middle Cenomanian to Lower Santonian), Galisteo, New Mexico" could not have been accomplished without your generosity.

Sincerely,

Frank J. Varriale