Sep 17, 2015
Shinoda Scholar of the Year NamedSource: Shinoda Foundation

The Shinoda Foundation has announced that its Shinoda Scholar of the Year award for 2015-16 will go to Melinda Knuth, a senior horticulture major at the University of Nebraska Lincoln.

“Melindas drive to succeed and her passion for horticulture at its deepest roots make her an excellent choice for the elite company of Scholar of the Year award winners,” said Bob Otsuka, president of the Shinoda Foundation.

Hailing from Hartford, South Dakota, Melinda is working toward a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. The 21-year-old plans to pursue a career in wholesale floristry.

“Melinda strives to maximize every opportunity, and her dedication and commitment to reaching her goals motivates her in all her interactions,” one professor commented in her recommendation. In addition to her studies, Melinda has worked in the Wheat Seed Lab, is president of the Horticulture Club, served as a Walt Disney World intern and was inducted into multiple honor societies.

For 2015-16 the Shinoda Foundation Board of Trustees awarded seven scholarships plus grants to colleges and universities, all totaling $22,000. Since 1965, The Shinoda Foundation has awarded more than $811,000 in scholarships to 667 students.