The Paul Ecke, Jr. and Altman Family scholarships help fund the education of full-time graduate students pursuing a career in horticulture or floriculture. Those who receive the scholarships are rewarded for their accomplishments as they continue working toward growth in the industry.

Altman Family Scholarship
(one-year scholarship of $5,000)

Ken and Deena Altman, owners of Altman Plants, created this scholarship in 2015.  The Altman family is highly appreciative of the field of horticulture and they enjoy giving back.  The Altmans support numerous efforts to improve education and research for the industry.  Altman Plants supplies plant programs to large retailers with point of purchase materials, sales reps to assist with merchandising, a large distribution system that covers the U.S., and offers expertise in growing plants. Each year one student will be awarded this scholarship.  It is an annual scholarship, although the same person may receive it a second year should their application score the highest.

Previous Altman Family Scholarship recipients:

2024 – Four students were awarded $5,000 each:

• Jessica Brown – Michigan State University
• Greta Gallina – University of Georgia
• Haramrit Gill – Texas A&M University
• Manjot Sidhu – Michigan State University

2023 – Five students were awarded $5,000 each:

• Josselyn Calidonio – Clemson University
• Henry Gonzalez – Michigan State University
• Savannah Mead –  West Virginia University
• Isabella Borrero –  The University of New Hampshire
• Patrick Veazie – North Carolina State University

2022 – Three students were awarded $5,000 each:

• Kaitlin Swiantek – University of Georgia
• Melissa Munoz – Clemson University
• Prabhjot Kaur – Michigan State University

2021 – Two students were awarded $5,400 each:

• Mary Lewis – University of Georgia
• Mason Marshall – Texas A&M University

2020 – Four students were awarded $5,000 each:

• Mason Marshall – Texas A&M University
• Ariana Rhiannon – West Virginia University
• Brooks Parrish – University of Florida
• Erin Pfarr – University of Minnesota

2019 – Three students:

• Paul Cockson – North Carolina State University
• Yiyun Lin – Ohio State University
• David Tork – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

2018 – Two students were awarded $5,000 each:

• Krishna Bhattarai – University of Florida
• Nathan Nordstedt – The Ohio State University

2017 – Three students were awarded $5,000 each:

• Travis Higginbotham – Virginia Tech
• Nathan Jahnke – North Carolina State University
• Emily Teng – University of Hawaii at Manoa

2016 – One student was awarded $5,000:

• Joshua Henry – North Carolina State University

Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship
(two-year scholarship of $10,000/$5,000 each year)

This scholarship honors the late Paul Ecke, Jr. of Encinitas, Calif., who made indispensable contributions to the advancement of the global floriculture industry. Among his many interests was concern for the future of floriculture, as influenced by innovative research and educational programs. He recognized that creative scientists and educators are required to lead the floral industry in the 21st century and beyond. Each year, one student will receive $5,000 for two consecutive years, providing that they continue to meet requirements for this duration and submit an annual update.

Previous Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship recipients:

2024 – Savannah Mead – West Virginia University
2023 – Jackson Bobo – North Carolina State University
2022 – Juan Quijia Pillajo – The Ohio State University
2021 – Caleb Spall– Michigan State University/Second Year Report
2020 – Annika Kohler – Michigan State University/Second Year Report
2019 – Mary Lewis – University of Georgia/Second Year Report
2018 – Melissa Muñoz – Clemson University/Second Year Report
2017 – Kaylee South – The Ohio State University – OARDC
2016 – Kellie Walters – Michigan State University
2015 – Daniel Klittich – University of California (UC Davis)
2014 – Joshua Craver – Kansas State University
2014 – Emma Lookabaugh – North Carolina State University
2013 – W. Garrett Owen – North Carolina State University
2010 – Daedre Craig – Michigan State University

Eligibility Requirements

All U.S. citizens, permanent residents and qualified international students are eligible to apply. The applicant 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.
Applicants must have the intention of pursuing a MS or Ph.D. degree on a full-time basis in a selected floricultural area and under the direction of a world-renowned floriculture scientist.

Selection Process

The AFE Education Committee will review all applicants and when necessary will conduct personal interviews with applicants prior to finalizing the selection of a scholarship recipient.

Application Requirements and Information

Submit your online application here. Be sure you have your personal statement, letters of recommendation, photo, and video ready to upload at the same time.  Official transcripts can be emailed to afe@endowment.org (if necessary). Only one application is needed for the Altman and Ecke scholarships.  Those attending land-grant universities will automatically be considered for the Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship.  All others will only be considered for the Altman Family Scholarship.

Prior to completing the online application, please gather/prepare the following documents:

• A Personal Statement – prepare a typewritten statement not to exceed two single-spaced typed pages providing: (1) reason for applying for scholarship, (2) personal involvement in floriculture activities, (3) a brief description of your proposed research project and how it will contribute directly or indirectly toward resolving a major floriculture issue and (4) your anticipated future professional goals in floriculture.
• Letters of Recommendation – three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the applicant’s floriculture-related advisor.
• Transcripts – official transcripts sent directly from your Office of the Registrar.  We only need transcripts from your current program unless you have yet to receive a semester of grades, then please provide a transcript from your most recent prior institution. Please upload below, mail, or email.
  • Email: afe@endowment.org
  • Mail: American Floral Endowment, 610 Madison Street, Ste 101 PMB 803, Alexandria, VA 22314
• Video – Please supply a short video (up to three minutes) of yourself. In this video, you want to communicate to the selection committee why you are the best candidate for this scholarship.  Be sure to describe or show your current or proposed research project.  We are looking for creativity and personality in these videos. Show your passion and consider adding slides and/or pictures to add depth to the video.
• Photo – please submit a color photo to use for publicity purposes.