More Than $36,000 Awarded in 2017 AFE Scholarships

Emily Currens, University of Georgia, John L. Tomasovic Sr. ScholarshipTwenty students have been awarded AFE scholarships this year totaling $36,500. Sixty applications were received for this 2017 scholarship cycle.“We had many outstanding students apply for scholarships this year, which is why some scholarships were awarded to two recipients,” said Dwight Larimer, AFE Chairman and Education Committee Chair.“I’m proud to see the high quality of students each year and I enjoy granting scholarships to these well-deserved students to help them continue their education and become passionate industry leaders.”AFE awards scholarships annually, and applications are due by May 1 of each year.Learn more about AFE scholarships here. American Florists’ Exchange Scholarship — $2,200Recipient: Summer Blanco, California State Polytechnic University – PomonaBlanco is a junior…

AFE Awards 2017 Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship

AFE announced the recipient of the 2017 Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship.Kaylee South, a Ph.D. student at The Ohio State University – OARDC, was awarded a $10,000 scholarship ($5,000 for two consecutive years).“There were a record number of applications this year, which shows the growing interest and need for AFE scholarships. The high quality of students is a testament to their exceptional determination and passion, and I am confident these future leaders will help the industry progress,” said Dwight Larimer, AFE Chairman and Education Committee Chair.Kaylee SouthKaylee is pursuing her Ph.D. in agriculture and is researching botrytis in floriculture crops. Her focus is isolating bacteria that has beneficial qualities in floriculture crops that can be successfully applied to control botrytis.“I am…

2017 AFE Scholarship Applications Due By May 1

Floriculture and horticulture students can apply now for more than 20 different AFE scholarships!Sophomore, junior, senior and graduate students must submit their online applications by the May 1 deadline.Joshua Henry, North Carolina State University 2016 Richard T. Meister Scholarship RecipientAFE encourages students to apply for scholarships early, as the need for financial assistance in floriculture and environmental horticulture programs is great. The scholarships range from $500 to $6,000.In 2016, the Endowment awarded nearly $40,000 in scholarships.“AFE is focused on attracting and retaining the next generation of industry professionals,” AFE Executive Director Debi Chedester said. “We award scholarships to students each year to help them toward becoming exceptional industry leaders.”Descriptions of each scholarship offered, along with the undergraduate and graduate applications…

Applications Now Being Accepted for MS/Ph.D. Scholarships

AFE is now accepting applications for the Altman Family Scholarship and the Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship.The application deadline is Feb. 1.Ken and Deena AltmanThese two merit-based, prestigious scholarships are for graduate students who have the skills and passion to become leading floricultural scientists and educators.Applicants must be in the process of successfully completing either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in horticulture or a related field (e.g., agricultural engineering, entomology, agricultural marketing and economics, plant pathology, etc.) and must have the intention of pursuing an MS or Ph.D. degree on a full-time basis.One student will be selected for each scholarship. Applicants attending land-grant universities will automatically be considered for the Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship. All others will qualify for the Altman…

Nearly $40,000 Awarded in 2016 Scholarships

AFE awarded seventeen students in 2016 with scholarships totaling more than $39,000.“Thanks to the generosity of donors, AFE is able to distribute more than 20 scholarships each year to deserving and well-qualified students. These students are worthy of our recognition and support,” said Dwight Larimer, AFE Chairman-Elect and Education Committee Chair.“Each of the scholarship recipients give us a glimpse of our industry’s bright future, and I believe that all of the applicants are passionate leaders who will help the industry progress.”More than 65 applications were received for this scholarship cycle, down slightly from last year.AFE awards scholarships annually, and applications are due by May 1 of each year.Click here for full scholarship descriptions. American Florists’ Exchange Scholarship — $2,400Recipient: Erin Hsu,…

Scottish Student Awarded U.S. Scholarship

A 21-year-old student from Scotland, Jamie Satterthwaite, was selected to receive the 2016 Markham-Colegrave International Scholarship through AFE and the David Colegrave Foundation.Jamie SatterthwaiteSatterthwaite is pursuing a Bachelor of Science at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), studying horticulture and working as a trainee grower.He was awarded $4,500 and will have the opportunity to intern at a horticultural business for eight weeks in the U.S.Satterthwaite is passionate about production horticulture and hopes to work at a nursery that leads in plug production and runs annual bedding plant trials in its extensive trial garden. (Placement is underway!)“I am looking forward to gaining an insight in working across the pond where I can further strengthen my skills in growing and learn new techniques and…

AFE Awards 2016 Altman Family Scholarship

Joshua Henry of North Carolina State University has received the 2016 Altman Family Scholarship. Henry is the first recipient of the Altman Family Scholarship, which was created in 2015 by Ken and Deena Altman, owners of Altman Plants. The Altmans are highly appreciative of the field of horticulture and support numerous efforts to improve education and research for the industry. This merit-based, prestigious scholarship assists in funding the education of floriculture graduate students (MS or Ph.D.), who will become leading floricultural scientists and educators. Joshua Henry is pursuing a Master of Science at North Carolina State University and is an active member of several horticultural activities and clubs, including the Horticultural Science Graduate Student Association. Henry will receive $5,900 in…

Ph.D. Student Awarded 2016 Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship

AFE awarded the 2016 Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship to Kellie Walters of Michigan State University.The Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship was established in 2010 and honors the late Paul Ecke, Jr., who made significant contributions to the floriculture industry and believed strongly in research and education. He recognized that creative scientists and educators are required to lead the floral industry in the 21st century and beyond.This merit-based, prestigious scholarship has been funded by industry contributions and the Ecke family to assist in funding the education of floriculture graduate students (MS or Ph.D.) at land-grant institutions, who will become leading floricultural scientists and educators.Kellie Walters, 2016 Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship RecipientKellie Walters is pursuing her Ph.D. at Michigan State University and got involved…

Applications Accepted Through May 1st for 2016 AFE Scholarships

Floriculture and horticulture students now have the chance to apply for more than 20 different AFE scholarships!Lesley JuddNorth Carolina State University2015 John Carew Memorial Scholarship RecipientThe deadline is May 1, 2016 to submit applications for sophomore through senior students, as well as graduate students.AFE encourages students to apply for scholarships early, as the need for financial assistance in floriculture and environmental horticulture programs is great. In 2015, AFE awarded more than $37,000 in scholarships.“It’s our primary function at the Endowment to award scholarships to students to help in their journey of becoming industry leaders,” AFE Executive Director Debi Aker said.“We understand the financial burden students face and know that an investment in their education is an investment in the future of the industry.”Click…

Nearly $40,000 Awarded in 2015 Scholarships

AFE awarded seventeen students in 2015 with scholarships totaling more than $37,000.“The quality of the applicants this year was outstanding, and we only wish we could help even more young people as they begin their rewarding careers. These deserving students show great promise and will be strong assets to the industry,” AFE Chairman-Elect and Education Committee Chairman Dwight Larimer said.More than 75 applications were received for this scholarship cycle, down just a few from last year.AFE awards scholarships annually, and applications are due by May 1 of each year. American Florists’ Exchange Scholarship – $2,400Recipient: Erin Hsu, University of California-DavisHsu is a junior studying environmental horticulture with a focus on floriculture, and wants to become a floral designer and possibly a…

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