Altman, Ecke MS/Ph.D. Scholarships in Floriculture Available

AFE is now accepting applications for the new Altman Family Scholarship, and the Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship, for graduate students who have the skills and passion to become leading floricultural scientists and educators.The application deadline is Feb. 1.Deena and Ken AltmanThe Altman Family Scholarship was created in 2015 by Ken and Deena Altman – owners of Altman Plants – who support numerous efforts to improve education and research for the industry.The Altmans are highly appreciative of the field of horticulture and enjoy giving back. They established the Center for Applied Horticultural Research as an effort to help the industry. Ken Altman has also been actively involved in AFE’s Education and Scholarship Committees for a decade.“We’re privileged to have Ken on our…

UC Davis Student Awarded 2015 AFE Ecke Scholarship

Daniel Klittich, a doctoral candidate at the University of California (UC Davis), has been awarded the 2015 Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship through AFE.Daniel KlittichThe merit-based scholarship honors the late Paul Ecke Jr., who made contributions to the advancement of the floriculture industry. It is given to M.S. or Ph.D. students studying horticulture or a related field, who intend to pursue a career as a researcher, scientist or educator.This prestigious scholarship, established in 2010, is funded by contributions to AFE from the floral industry, the Ecke family and other sources. As the 2015 Ecke recipient, Klittich will receive $5,000 for two consecutive years, provided he continues to meet scholarship requirements.Klittich, who is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in entomology, has been recognized…

Deadline for AFE Scholarships Fast Approaching

Internships are the best way for students to gain valuable hands-on experience to help their studies and future career. The American Floral Endowment (AFE) funds internships for floriculture and environmental horticulture students each year, and the deadline is fast approaching!AFE is now accepting applications for the Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program and the Mosmiller Intern Scholarship program. The deadline for online applications is March 1. Click here for internship information.The Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program was made possible through a generous gift from Vic & Margaret Ball and provides students with an opportunity to gain experience in commercial production. The Ball Intern Scholarship Program offers paid internships in three, four or six month durations and provides scholarships…

AFE Now Accepting Applications for $10,000 2015 Ecke Scholarship

Paul Ecke Jr.Are you a current or future graduate student with the skills and passion to become the next notable floriculture researcher or educator? If so, apply for the Paul Ecke Jr. M.S./Ph.D. Scholarship Program now through Feb. 1, 2015. Applications are available online.The scholarship honors the late Paul Ecke Jr. of Encinitas, Calif., who made significant contributions to the floriculture industry and believed strongly in research and education. Ecke was concerned about the future of floriculture and recognized that innovative researchers and educators are necessary for the continued success of the industry.Joshua CraverPurdue University2014 Ecke RecipientApplicants must be in the process of successfully completing either a B.S. or M.S. degree in horticulture or a related field, (e.g., agricultural engineering,…

AFE Awards Nearly $40,000 in Scholarships

Eighteen students have been awarded competitive 2014 scholarships from AFE totaling almost $40,000.“AFE scholarships provide financial assistance to students as they equip themselves with the education and experience that will help them become industry leaders” AFE Education Committee Chairman Dwight Larimer of DESIGN MASTER color tool Inc. said. “Thanks to the generosity of donors, AFE is able to distribute more than 20 scholarships a year to competitive and deserving students.”AFE awards scholarships annually, and applications are due by May 1 of each year. The online application was recently redesigned to streamline the process beginning in 2015.American Florists’ Exchange Scholarship – $2,400Recipient: Miwa Ishisaka, California State Polytechnic University-PomonaIshisaka, a sophomore studying plant science, aspires to become a plant breeder who creates…

Too Good to Pass Up! Two Students Awarded $10,000 AFE Ecke Scholarships

Joshua CraverNot one, but two promising students have been awarded a 2014 Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship through AFE. The merit-based scholarship honors the late floriculture pioneer and is awarded to M.S. or Ph.D. students who are on track to become exceptional researchers or educators.Joshua Craver, who will soon earn a graduate degree at Kansas State University and begin a doctoral program at Purdue University, and Emma Lookabaugh, a doctoral student at North Carolina State University, were both awarded the $10,000 scholarship.“Generally only one Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship is awarded each year, but this year AFE made an exception to award a scholarship to two remarkable candidates,” said Dwight Larimer, AFE Education Committee chairman and DESIGN MASTER color tool, inc. president.…

2014 AFE Scholarship Applications Now Being Accepted

Ryanna ZoellnerUniversity of Georgia2013 James Bridenbaugh Memorial Scholarship RecipientNow is the chance for horticulture and floriculture students to apply for more than 20 different scholarships through AFE. The deadline is May 1 to submit applications for sophomore through senior students, as well as for graduate students.AFE encourages students to apply for scholarships early as the need for financial assistance in floriculture and environmental horticulture programs is great. For 2014, AFE will award just less than $40,000 in scholarships.“AFE’s robust scholarships provide financial assistance to both undergraduate and graduate students to help in their journey of becoming the next great leaders in floriculture and horticulture,” AFE Executive Director Debi Aker said. “An investment in their education is an investment in the…

Markham-Colegrave Winner Shares International Horticultural Internship Experiences

Gasteyer at Gärtnerei Umbach, the wholesale nursery where she interned.Brooke Gasteyer, a University of Wisconsin-River Falls senior, long dreamed of traveling to Europe for a horticulture internship. Her dream became a reality when she was awarded the 2013 Markham-Colegrave International Scholarship, funded by AFE and the David Colegrave Foundation.“Working in another country opened my mind and gave me more perspective while broadening my horticultural experiences,” Gasteyer said. “Spending five months in Europe certainly had an impact on me and will continue to in the future.”Gasteyer at the Keukenhof flower show.German wholesale nursery and internship host Gärtnerei Umbach put her straight to work with primulas and violas, which the nursery abundantly produces in many varieties. Later, she began planting new plants…

Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship Offers $10,000

Paul Ecke Jr.AFE is accepting applications now through Feb. 1, 2014 for the Paul Ecke Jr. M.S./Ph.D. Scholarship Program for graduate students who have the skills and passion to become the next noted floriculture researcher or educator. Applications are available online.The scholarship honors the late Paul Ecke Jr. of Encinitas, Calif., who made significant contributions to the floriculture industry and believed strongly in research and education. Ecke was concerned about the future of floriculture and recognized that innovative researchers and educators are necessary for the continued success of the industry.“The Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship has assisted me in the effort to continue my education at Purdue University, where I am one step closer to becoming a future floriculture extension specialist…

AFE Awards More Than $30,000 to 2013 Scholarship Winners

Seventeen scholarship winners have been awarded competitive scholarships from AFE totaling more than $30,000. “Scholarships are so important to assist those who want to further their education in our industry,” AFE Scholarship Chairperson PJ Ellison of Ellison’s Greenhouses said. “Not only do they help the students, they also show those who want to be in our industry how much AFE cares.” AFE awards scholarships annually, and applications are due by May 1 of each year. This year, AFE had a record number of highly qualified scholarship applicants. American Florists’ Exchange Scholarship – $2,000 Recipient: Katrina Moldenhauer Moldenhauer, a junior at California Polytechnic State University studying agribusiness, hopes to work in the floriculture industry in sales or management. “My family owns…

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