Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Fund announces 2015 recipients

 

Allison Lindsay Bechtloff, University of Florida, Awarded the Robert L. VanLandingham Scholarship

Ryan Dickson, University of Florida

Christopher Lee Dowdy, Virginia Tech

Cody Hamilton English, University of Florida

Jeb S. Fields, Virginia Tech

Britton Jonathan Garrett, Auburn University

Daniel Greenwell, Auburn University, Awarded the Lee C. Howell Scholarship

Lesley Ann Judd, North Carolina State University

Rachel Elizabeth Mack, Virginia Tech, Awarded the Art & Millie Lancaster Scholarship

Anna Eileen Ribbeck, Louisiana State University, Awarded the Dr. James & Faye Foret Scholarship

Rinnie Rodenius, University of Florida

Micah Toles, Auburn University

 

Scholarship recipients are determined through a competitive application process, administered by a selection committee, based on academics, determination, demonstrated interest in the horticulture industry, and financial need. This year’s recipients were chosen from a pool of dozens of well-qualified applicants.

“Congratulations to this exemplary group of students who have excelled academically and demonstrated determination and a passion for horticulture,” said Danny Summers, Executive Vice President of the fund.

“These scholarship awards will help lighten their financial load as they pursue their careers and I am confident each of these students will make an effective and positive contribution to our industry. I look forward to seeing their accomplishments as they complete their studies,” he added.

 

To date, a total of $473,000 has been awarded since the fund was established. The fund’s current assets are now more than $825,000. Seven named funds have been pledged: the Carolina Weed Science Fund, the Dr. James & Faye Foret Fund, the Richard J. “Dick” Hackney Fund, Sr. Fund, the Lee C. Howell Fund, the Arthur A. “Buck” Jones Fund, the Art & Millie Lancaster Fund, and the Robert L. VanLandingham Fund. The financial support offered by the fund has allowed many students the opportunity to begin or continue to work toward their educational goals.

 

Created in 1989 by the Southern Nursery Association (SNA), The Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund is a 501 (c) 3 corporation providing scholarships to students who are residents of the sixteen southeastern states – Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia – pursuing a career in horticulture. The scholarship is dedicated to one of the most honored horticultural leaders, the late Sidney B. Meadows, who was an avid supporter of student scholarships and believed that providing aid for students was an important way to ensure the growth and development of all facets of the industry. The fund derives its income from individual and corporate contributions and is governed by the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund board of directors.