Investigator Robert L. Koryciak Scholarship for Excellence in Forensic Science

Robert began his public safety career as a 16-year-old volunteer firefighter in North Georgia in 1975. In 1978, he began his first law enforcement endeavor as a “Sworn” municipal police office for the City of Austell, resigning in 1979. In June 1979, he graduated as an Advanced EMT while serving Douglas County Fire Department. In December 1979, he was hired by the Houston Fire Department, serving as a firefighter/paramedic, and engineer/operator-paramedic. In December 1999, 20 years after joining the HFD, he was promoted to Arson Investigator for the Houston Arson Bureau. He retired from HFD’s Arson Bureau in 2017, having served the city of Houston for 37 ½ years. Robert is a SHSU Alumni Life Member; having gained entry to the organization by marrying a “Bearkat”, Estella Longoria (Education -1971). This scholarship was established in hopes of inspiring students on their journey to their law enforcement career.
A recipient must (1) be a full-time sophomore, junior or senior, in good standing and enrolled at Sam Houston State University; (2) minor in Forensic Science, with preference given to students majoring in biology, chemistry, or forensic chemistry; (3) have and maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.00; and (4) demonstrate excellence, motivation and have the moral compass and ethics to be an exceptional law enforcement officer. Financial need is a consideration, but not a determining factor. "