Two floriculture MS/Ph.D. scholarships available

The American Floral Endowment (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.

According to a press release from AFE, the application deadline (available online at endowment.org) is Feb. 1.

The 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.

The Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship honors the late Paul Ecke, Jr., 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.

"Support from the industry is a very meaningful and appreciated honor. I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity to help the industry move forward," 2015 Ecke recipient Daniel Klittich said.

One student will be selected for each scholarship.

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.

Applicants attending land-grant universities will automatically be considered for the Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship. All others will qualify for the Altman Family Scholarship.

More information about the scholarships and how to apply is available at endowment.org.