American Floral Endowment Update - Fall 2003
Wilkins Scholarship Program Widely Successful
The Harold F Wilkins Scholarship Program has been very successful in several ways. Established in 2001 through a Trust Agreement from Dr. Wilkins, a retired professor of Floriculture at the University of Minnesota and an avid supporter of international travel experience, the program provides financial aid to encourage students to have a hands-on floriculture job training experience while living outside the United States.
The program attracts the brightest students in floriculture. Each application deadline brings a sufficient number of applicants interested in studying floriculture outside the United States. The average GPA of the students applying is 3.7 on a4.0 scale.
Student applications are evaluated based on motivation toward a floriculture career, work experience, a personal letter of recommendation by a floriculture advisor, the studentsÕs involvement in industry related activities (Horticulture Club, FFA, etc.), grade point average, and the relevance of his or her proposed experience in developing a solid floriculture career. Further evidence of the programÕs success is that a majority of applicants score all average of 90 out of 100 points during the evaluation process. This is a strong indication of the competitive nature of the program, making the final selection very difficult.
WhoÕs WhoÕ! An Update on the recipients of the Wilkns Program:
Julianna Chapman from Mississippi State University completed a Retail Florist Experience at Fulbourn Manor Nurseries Flower Shops in Cambridge, England.
Katrina Getz from Penn State University studied floriculture at the National University College of Dublin. She completed her studies in June 2003 stating that "Six months in Europe cannot be measured in grades, money, time, or photographs; they can only be measured in the feelings. I have learned things that I canÕt even explain. Classes I took in Ireland were all horticulture related; many dealt with subjects. I could never have studied at the undergraduate level in the U.S.
Kevin Roethle from the University of Wisconsin will be completing a production internship at Rijnbeek en Zonen ill Holland in Decenlber of 2003. Students interested in internship scholarships can visit the Endowment web-site at www.endowment.org. Applications can be downloaded for the Vie and Margaret Ball (production-related internships up to $6,000 scholarship). Mosmiller (retail-and wholesale-related internships Ñ $2,000) and/or the Harold F. Wilkins Scholarship (outside USA floriculture experience). Employers interested in hosting a student should contact Steve Martinez at tile office, 618-692-0045.
Endowment Dinner ÔLiving LaVida LocaÕ
The American Floral EndowmentÕs Century Dinner raised more than $34,000 to help support industry-based scientific research, educational progranis that attract new young talent to the industry, and a floral consumer statistical marketing study. This yearÕs theme was "Living La Vida Loca." Guests were treated to a high-energy, exceptionally talented band, and danced well into the evening. Table centerpieces accented the theme with creative designs of beautiful roses in cigar boxes with Spanish fans. Flowers for the centerpieces were donated by Rio Roses.
"Sponsorships" by Hosts and Sponsors are the key to tile Century DinnerÕs fund-raising success. "The Endowment is fortunate to have a loyal and growing group of supporters," said Norm White, Vice Chairman, Fundraising Committee. The American Floral Endowment thanks all who attended tile dinner and tile following companies for their sponsorship:
Band Sponsors
FTD
Teleflora
Host Ñ $2,200 Contribution
FTD
Highland Supply Corporation
The John Henry Company
Mellano & Company
Pete Garcia Company / Garcia Group, Inc.
Smithers Oasis Ñ North America The Sun Valley Group
Teleflora
Sponsor Ñ $1,200 Contribution
Ball Horticultural Company
Brody Company
Blumex USA, Inc.
DWF Wholesale Florists
Delaware Valley Wholesale Florist, Inc.
Floralife, Inc.
Greenleaf Wholesale Florist, Inc.
NurserymenÕs Exchange, Inc. Oscar G. Carlstedt Company P Pennock Company
R.J. Carbone Company Rio Roses (Equifior Corporation)
Syndicate Sales/Aquafoani
Tagawa Greenhouses
Teleflora
Vans Inc.
WhiteÕs Nursery and Greenhouses, Inc.
Wilsey Bennett, Inc.
Wine Sponsors
FTD
Printing Sponsors
The Los Angeles Flower Market of the American Florist Exchange, Ltd. San Diego International Floral Trade Center. A special thanks to the SAF Convention Staff and Decoration Committee for soliciting and procuring this yearÕs event decorations.
