Apr 15, 2005

Shinoda Announces Scholarship ProgramSource: Shinoda Foundation

In keeping with its 40-year tradition of awarding scholarships to deserving students preparing for careers in the commercial floriculture industry, the Joseph Shinoda Foundation will now offer companies and individuals the opportunity to donate funds for a “named” scholarship program.

The program would allow for a donor, through their contribution, to name a scholarship and determine the qualifications for its recipients. The Shinoda Foundation will solicit the student applications for the scholarship, as well as administer the selection process, manage the funds and publicize the contributors’ efforts.

“This program would allow the Shinoda Foundation to award even more students each year,” said Paul Ecke, III, president of the Shinoda Foundation. “It will help the Foundation to ensure that our industry has a consistent supply of creative and well-educated students to take leadership roles for the future, while giving the donor(s) well-deserved recognition for their generosity.”

The minimum donation to qualify for the named scholarship program is $1,000. Contributors will have the option of donating one time, or being billed annually. Memorial scholarships may be collected from multiple sources and then awarded in the name of the individual.

The Foundation will provide contributors with a simple form to assist them in determining their desired qualifications for the named scholarship.

The Joseph Shinoda Memorial Scholarship Foundation was established in 1964 to provide financial assistance to deserving students who are pursuing a career in the floriculture industry. Since its inception, the Foundation has proudly awarded more than $645,000 to 573 worthy college and university students, as well as an additional $160,000 in grants to floriculture departments and programs.

The Foundation is a non-profit organization headquartered in San Luis Obispo, Calif. The Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the continued success of the commercial floriculture industry through encouraging creative young students to pursue careers in floriculture. For more information on the Joseph Shinoda Memorial Scholarship Foundation or the named scholarship program visit www.shinodascholarship.org.