San Luis Obispo, Calif. – The Joseph Shinoda Memorial Scholarship Foundation Inc. has named Luke Deitrick of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as its 2012-13 Shinoda Scholar of the Year.
“This prestigious award represents the bright future of our industry,” says Paul Ecke III, president of the Foundation. “Individuals like Luke represent true growth and potential for horticulture as a whole.”
A 22-year-old senior from Geneseo, Illinois, Luke is working toward a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture with a concentration in Specialty Crops.
He plans to pursue a career in commercial greenhouse floriculture production, with a goal of eventually advancing to a greenhouse management position.
In a letter of recommendation, one of his professors commented, “I have been teaching at the University of Illinois for 38 years, and I would rate Luke in the top 10% of all students.”
Luke is active in a number of extracurricular activities such as Pi Alpha Xi and the Horticulture Club, and has received multiple scholarships and awards.
As the 2012-13 Shinoda Scholar of the Year, Luke received $3,500, a plaque and a letter of recognition.
About the Joseph Shinoda Memorial Scholarship Foundation
The Shinoda Foundation was established in 1964 under the auspices of the California State Florists’ Association in memory of the late Joseph Shinoda, a highly regarded pioneer of that state’s floral industry. The foundation’s purpose is to encourage educational opportunities for young people interested in entering the industry. Incorporated as a separate entity in 1972, the foundation has awarded scholarships valued at more than $760,000 to nearly 650 undergraduate floriculture students since 1965.
Information about applications for the Shinoda Foundation’s scholarships is sent each January to horticulture and floriculture departments at universities across the nation. Applications are available on the foundation’s website and accepted from January until March 30 each year.
Information about making contributions to the foundation or about its scholarship program can be obtained from its website, www.shinodascholarship.org, or by writing to: Joseph Shinoda Memorial Scholarship Foundation Inc., 962 Pecho St., Morro Bay, CA 93442, or Pat Broering at pbroerin@gmail.com.
Source: The Joseph Shinoda Memorial Scholarship Foundation Inc.