Three IPPS ER Foundation Scholarships Awarded in 2023
This year the IPPS ER Foundation received 39 applications for educational scholarships. David Sanford and his committee - Cathy Thomas, Chuck Martin, and Mike Emmons - reviewed every application and have recommended granting three scholarships - one to a graduate student, one to a 2-year undergraduate student, and the new Margo Bridgen Scholarship to a 4-year undergraduate student. As David shared with the Board, his committee selected the ,”top three based on their experiences, scholarship, leadership, and professional goals along with … strong endorsements from their references.” I know from past experience that reviewing this many applications is a big responsibility - thanks to the committee for their service!
We proudly announce the following winners of 2023 IPPS-ER Foundation Scholarships:
Winner of the first ever Margo Bridgen Scholarship is undergraduate 4-year program student Alexandra Cseri from the University of Rhode Island. Alexandra is a double major in Wildlife Management and Conservation Biology, and Plant Sciences, Ornamental Horticulture Track. Alexandra expects to graduate in May 2025.
Undergraduate 2-year program student Teresa Rivera Flores is pursuing a Horticultural Technician Diploma at Niagara College, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada with an expected graduation in April 2024. Teresa previously completed a B.S. degree in Agronomy Engineering.
Graduate student Alyssa Headley from the University of Minnesota is pursuing a Master of Science in Plant Sciences, Horticulture Track, with expected graduation date of May 2024. She is evaluating multiple species of birch, persimmon, and hazelnut for susceptibility to Mouse Ear Disorder as well as asexual propagation protocols for desert olive. Alyssa completed her B.S. degree at the University of Wisconsin in Soil and Crop Science with an emphasis in plant breeding and genetics. She received an IPPS-ER Student Conference Scholarship and presented a poster at the 2022 Annual Meeting on Long Island.
Congratulations to all the winners and a big THANKS to all you generous IPPS members who have generously supported the IPPS ER Foundation and our grants and scholarships.