Sidney B. Meadows Fund Awards $24,000 in Scholarships 

ACWORTH, GA, August 21, 2024 – The Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Fund, created in 1989 by the Southern Nursery Association (SNA), has announced the names of twelve students from ten southeastern universities chosen to receive academic scholarships this year. Eight of the awards are named scholarships honoring past industry leaders or loved ones. This year’s awards were $2,000 each, totaling $24,000. Awards are being presented to the following excelling scholars:

Phiala Drake – Texas Tech University

Landon Erbrick – Auburn University – Sally Smith Scholarship

Kathryn Glenn– Clemson University – Arthur A. "Buck" Jones Scholarship

Elliott Kenney – University of Maryland - College Park

Cassie Marbach – Texas A&M University – Dr. James & Faye Foret Scholarship

Grace Ramsey – Stephen F. Austin State University – Lee C. Howell Scholarship

Charlotte Simmons – Tennessee Tech University – Dr. Bryson L. James Scholarship

Meg Smolinski – University of Maryland – Art & Millie Lancaster Scholarship

April Sprague – Oregon State University – Richard J. Hackney Scholarship

Jonah Trevino – Texas Tech University

Evan Villani – North Carolina State University

Tyler Williamson – University of Georgia – Richard L. VanLandingham Scholarship

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 very competitive group of applicants. Of the twelve students, seven are graduate students and five are under-graduate. 

“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. 

“We continue to hear from recipients how important these awards are in reducing their financial stress allowing them the ability to concentrate more on their studies. I am confident each of these students will make an effective and positive contribution to our industry in the future. I look forward to seeing their accomplishments as they complete their studies,” he added.

This was the second year the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund and the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), two leading scholarship granting foundations in the green industry, announced their collaboration in creating a common application form for their respective scholarship programs. This partnership makes it easier for students to apply for multiple scholarship programs at once and mitigate the time-consuming application process.  Feedback from this year’s applicants confirmed the process was easy and the ability to apply for more than one scholarship (if eligible) was a real plus.

The financial support offered by the fund has allowed many students the opportunity to work toward their educational goals. With this year’s awards, the fund has awarded a total of $650,000 since the fund was established in 1989. The fund’s current assets are now more than $1,000,000. Nine named funds have been pledged to date: The Larry D. Edwards Fund, the Dr. James & Faye Foret Fund, the Richard J. “Dick” Hackney Fund, the Lee C. Howell Fund, the Dr. Bryson L. James Fund, the Arthur A. “Buck” Jones Fund, the Art & Millie Lancaster Fund, the Sally Smith Fund and the Robert L. VanLandingham Fund. 

Interested in establishing a Named Scholarship to honor a loved one, past industry leader or company? Named Scholarships are established with a commitment for $30,000 with a minimum of $5,000 to begin and fulfillment over the next 5 years. Once established, a scholarship will be made annually in the designated name.

Interested in supporting horticultural students here in the Southeast? Simply visit our website for details. They will appreciate your support and the industry will see a return on investing in them for decades to come. Thank you in advance for your support!

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 these sixteen southeastern – 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, a Past President of the Southern Nursery Association, 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.

An application for 2025 scholarships will be available in early 2025. Those interested in receiving scholarship information or the latest fund news can subscribe to the automated information system on the fund’s website.

More details on scholarship eligibility can be found at www.sbmsef.org. For more information on the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund, forward your inquiry to PO Box 801513, Acworth, GA 30101, 678.813.1880, info@sbmsef.org or visit www.sbmsef.org.

HRI, established in 1962, has provided scholarship and grant funding in excess of $9.5 million. Both organizations recognize the importance and value of education in this field and is dedicated to helping students pursue their studies. To learn more about HRI,  visit www.hriresearch.org.