The AFS Socioeconomics Section and Missouri Chapter partner at the Annual Meeting to award the Stephen Weithman Best Student Paper in Socioeconomics Award. This award was established in honor of Steve Weithman who passed away in 2000, at the age of 47, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Steve was an AFS member since 1974 and had been employed by the Missouri Department of Conservation since 1978. He conducted research on a variety of topics, but was best known for his economic evaluation of fisheries and statewide surveys of anglers. Recognized as an expert in his field, he authored the chapter on socioeconomic benefits of fisheries in Inland Fisheries Management in North America (second edition, 1999), a best-selling AFS publication. He was active at all levels of AFS. Steve was the first recipient of the Missouri Chapter’s A. Stephen Weithman, Jr. Leadership Award in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding leadership in protecting Missouri’s aquatic resources. The chapter’s proclamation stated, “His leadership efforts are notable not only for their positive outcomes but are remembered for the professional and caring manner in which they were delivered.” The Weithman Award honors his life by highlighting the importance of socioeconomics work in fisheries. This symposium intends to honor his life through presentations about his life and work, by reviewing the work of past award winners and the impact of their work on the field, and through highlighting some of the student’s work being judged at this year’s annual meeting.