{"id":24709,"date":"2026-05-21T17:36:44","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T17:36:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/endowment.org\/?post_type=news&p=24709"},"modified":"2026-05-22T14:48:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T14:48:59","slug":"2026-ecke-altman","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/endowment.org\/es\/news\/2026-ecke-altman","title":{"rendered":"Uplifting Future Educators and Scientists: 2026 Paul Ecke, Jr. and Altman Family Scholarship Recipients"},"content":{"rendered":"

The future of floriculture is taking root in classrooms, greenhouses and research labs across the country, as the American Floral Endowment (AFE) announces the 2026 recipients of the prestigious Paul Ecke, Jr. and Altman Family scholarships. Created to support the next generation of horticultural scientists and industry leaders, the scholarships recognize graduate students whose work is poised to shape the future of floriculture through innovation, research and education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emily Eldridge<\/strong>, a master\u2019s degree student at North Carolina State University, is the recipient of the 2026 Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship<\/strong>. Emily will receive a total of $10,000 ($5,000 each for two consecutive years) to help fund her education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four students received the 2026 Altman Family Scholarship. Each recipient will receive $5,000 to further their graduate work. Those students are Charlie Smith<\/strong>, a doctoral student at Michigan State University; Luke Finn<\/strong>, a master\u2019s degree student at North Carolina State University; Rajesh Vavilapalli<\/strong>, a doctoral student at the University of Georgia; and Tatiana Osorio Montoya<\/strong>, a doctoral student at North Carolina State University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThrough the vision and generosity of Paul Ecke, Jr. and the Altman Family, these scholarships continue to open doors for students who are dedicated to advancing floriculture,\u201d<\/strong> said Debi Chedester, CAE, Executive Director of AFE. \u201cTheir commitment to investing in the future lives on through each recipient, and we are proud to support these emerging leaders as they pursue research and innovation that will help shape the next generation of horticulture.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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About the Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The scholarship honors the late Paul Ecke, Jr., a horticulturist from California credited with moving the industry forward with his innovation and educational program development in the field. The scholarship awards the chosen scholar with $5,000 for two consecutive years ($10,000 total). The recipient must be pursuing a Master\u2019s or Doctorate degree at a U.S. land-grant university. For more information about the scholarship, click here<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emily Eldridge, North Carolina State University – Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Rooted in a lifelong connection to plants and a growing commitment to workforce development, Emily\u2019s path in floriculture reflects both personal heritage and professional purpose. A resident of Smithfield, North Carolina, the graduate student has a desire to support the industry\u2019s long-term success through education and workforce development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cMy academic and professional work focuses on strengthening the horticulture workforce by understanding student recruitment, engagement, and success in horticulture programs,\u201d said Emily. \u201cIn this way, this scholarship is not only an investment in my education, but also an investment in the systems and programs that educate and prepare future floriculture professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Her connection to the industry began early in her life, a passion for flowers developed from walking through a row of zinnias her great-grandfather grew in honor of his late wife. That time lay the foundation for a lasting appreciation for plants and what they mean to the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The early exposure to the industry eventually led to hands-on experiences in production-based areas of the industry, before Emily shifted her focus to education and outreach. While working with a 4-H Extension horticulture specialist, she began introducing youth to horticulture careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday, I work with young people to expose them to the diverse and impactful world of horticulture, helping them develop curiosity, confidence, and a sense of belonging in the field,\u201d she said. \u201cWhile I fell in love with plants and flowers early in life, I have chosen to dedicate my career to supporting the people behind them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emily\u2019s research now focuses on student enrollment and success in horticulture, conducted in collaboration with Seed Your Future. Specifically, her work examines how students discover the industry\u2019s programs and what keeps them engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA knowledgeable and diverse workforce is essential to meeting the industry\u2019s evolving needs. By identifying effective strategies for student recruitment and success, this work supports floriculture employers, educators, and industry leaders in building a sustainable workforce,\u201d Emily noted. \u201cWith experience in both production horticulture and youth development, I bring both the industry perspective and educational passion to this research.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her future goals include continuing to work at the intersection of people and plants, ultimately strengthening the industry\u2019s workforce pipeline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis field has provided me with opportunities, mentorship, and a strong sense of community, and I am committed to contributing to its continued growth,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second Year Funding: <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Andre Truter<\/strong>, a master\u2019s degree student at North Carolina State University, was awarded the 2025 Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship. This year, Andre was approved for a second year of funding and received a total of $10,000 in scholarship support, awarded as $5,000 annually over two consecutive years, to assist with his educational expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Altman Family Scholarship<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Created in 2015 by Ken and Deena Altman, the Altman Family Scholarship seeks to support improvement in horticulture education and research by investing in outstanding, young industry professionals. The Altmans believe in the power of giving back and do so through the reach of this scholarship and Altman Plants programs that offer growing expertise to the industry. This scholarship provides an annual scholarship ($5,000) to promising and dedicated graduate students pursuing a career in horticulture. For more information, click here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charlie Smith, Michigan State University \u2013 Altman Family Scholarship<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Driven by both curiosity and a commitment to applied horticultural sciences, Charlie, a resident of Holt, Michigan, will use the scholarship support to expand his academic and professional reach in floriculture. He intends to attend more horticulture conferences and events, including those on a global scale. He said those experiences have become central to his development as a graduate student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have been able to travel to IPM Essen in Germany in 2023, a leading horticultural trade fair, and the International Plant Production Society\u2019s New Zealand Region meeting in 2025, where I even got to present my research. This year alone, I hope to attend the 2026 International Horticulture Conference in Kyoto, Japan, as well as the NCERA-101 6th International Controlled Environment Agriculture Conference in Dundee, Scotland,\u201d he said. \u201cThese international journeys are not only memorable, culturally enriching experiences, they also introduce me to new perspectives, problems, and solutions of horticultural professionals and academics around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charlie\u2019s involvement in floriculture spans both commercial and research. He has worked in multiple commercial settings where he gained valuable insights into plant propagation, crop maintenance and environmental management. His research at Michigan State University focuses on optimizing lighting and temperature conditions during asexual propagation of Petunias. He is also conducting research on how LED lighting influences crop development and pigmentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the future, Charlie\u2019s professional goal is to become a university professor in horticulture, following in his parents\u2019 footsteps as teachers. He plans to balance appointments in research, teaching and extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI aim to maintain strong connections with local growers, using research-based practices to address real-world production challenges,\u201d he said. \u201cI seek a career that allows me to advance floriculture knowledge, train the next generation of horticulturists, and support sustainable and productive greenhouse practices.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Luke Finn, North Carolina State University \u2013 Altman Family Scholarship<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Currently pursuing a M.S. in Horticultural Science, Luke\u2019s path in floriculture reflects a journey of first curiosity from his grandmother\u2019s backyard to a commitment to research and grower support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He credits much of his early development to his production work at the Greenhouse Learning Center at Oklahoma State University, where he obtained his undergraduate degree and worked closely with greenhouse operations, learning to identify plant issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis experience strengthened my understanding of plant nutrition, diagnostics, and day-to-day production challenges,\u201d he noted. \u201cIt also allowed me to problem-solve on my own, which helped me understand why some solutions work, and some don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also was afforded an internship opportunity with Ball Horticultural Company as well as visits to commercial operations, including the Altman Plants location in Illinois. He noted that those experiences allowed him to collaborate with growers and other researchers, ultimately reinforcing his decision to continue his academic journey in the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing a new world of how artificial intelligence can drive industries forward, the Raleigh resident is immersed in research regarding the development of an AI-based system that will help growers identify nutritional disorders and strengthening foundational nutrient recommendations using data from plants to help define deficiency, sufficiency and excess ranges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a passion for sharing his knowledge and research findings, Luke has published eight e-GRO alert articles and co-authored \u201cPlant Root Zone Management,\u201d second edition, which offers insights for growers for successful plant production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecently, I have also begun to publish videos on LinkedIn detailing my current research and sharing my findings, as well as problems that occur,\u201d he said. \u201cAll these efforts reflect my passion for helping growers solve real-world problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upon completion of his graduate degree, Luke intends to enter the horticulture industry in a role that bridges research and production, with possible focus areas of technical services, cultural research, product management or sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI want to be able to serve as a resource for growers, helping them understand what management decisions to make and why those decisions would work best for them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Rajesh Vavilapalli, University of Georgia \u2013 Altman Family Scholarship<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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As an international Ph.D. student at the University of Georgia, Rajesh has spent the last three years in the Department of Entomology performing doctoral research that has focused on improving integrated pest management. The experiences have allowed him to become more familiar with and understand industry pressures. The research led to a central focus on the redheaded flea beetle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cMy proposed research aims to address a major floriculture issue: the lack of precise, decision-based pest management tools for ornamental nurseries. I am developing degree-day models for the redheaded flea beetle to accurately track its population dynamics under nursery conditions,\u201d he said. \u201cThis work will allow growers to time chemical and biological interventions based on pest biology rather than relying on calendar-based sprays, reducing unnecessary applications, lowering costs, and minimizing environmental impact.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Rajesh is already making his mark on floricultural research. Through his research, he identified a previously unreported pest, the pale-legged flea beetle. He describes this as the first report of the species on roses. His findings were published in the \u201cJournal of Economic Entomology.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside of the lab, Rajesh is active in outreach and professional service, including his participation in the Georgia Green Industry Association and AmericanHort. He also delivers presentations on pests where he can translate his research into action for growers and other industry professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upon completion of his academic career, Rajesh plans to enter the industry as an ornamental entomology researcher at a land-grant university. While there, his goal is to establish a pest management program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs resources such as labor, water, and effective chemistries become increasingly limited, I aim to integrate advanced technologies \u2014 such as predictive models, targeted applications, and biologically based control strategies \u2014 into IPM programs that are economically viable and environmentally responsible,\u201d he said, noting that at the same time, he plans to use his extensive research to improve pest resistance in ornamental plants and enhance postharvest quality and shelf life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tatiana Osorio Montoya, North Carolina State University \u2013 Altman Family Scholarship<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Tatiana\u2019s doctoral work at North Carolina State University involves a combination of science, sustainability and the realities of the global floricultural industry. Originally from Colombia, Tatiana notes that she had become aware of the industry\u2019s importance to rural development and economic stability. That exposure shaped her academic path, including formal training in biology and horticulture as well as hands-on work in plant propagation and biotechnology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt NC State University, my engagement in floriculture has been both academic and practical. I have served as a teaching assistant for horticulture-related courses, working closely with faculty and students in laboratory and field settings,\u201d she said. \u201cThrough these roles, I have gained experience in mentoring students, communicating scientific concepts clearly, and understanding the practical constraints faced by growers and industry professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her current research addresses one of the most persistent challenges in cut flowers \u2013 the postharvest quality loss resulting from gray mold. Using advanced technology, Tatiana\u2019s work integrates high-tech imaging and machine learning to develop non-destructive methods for evaluating flower quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese tools have the potential to help growers and distributors make informed decisions about handling, treatment, and shipping, improving consistency and reducing waste,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tatiana hopes to build a career that bridges academia and industry through applied research and collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI envision myself working at the interface between academia and industry, developing technologies and management strategies that improve sustainability, profitability, and product quality,\u201d she said. \u201cI am particularly interested in maintaining strong connections between U.S. research institutions and floriculture industries in countries like Colombia, where technological advances can have profound economic and social impact.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Altman Family Recognitions <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to this year\u2019s Altman Family Scholarship winners, AFE has announced that four students have received special recognition through the program\u2019s application process. Those students are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n