HILO, HAWAII – The Big Island Association of Nurserymen, Inc. (BIAN) pledged $15,000 to establish the BIAN Excellence Scholarship Endowment for students pursuing a degree in agriculture. Their $15,000 contribution will be equally matched thanks to a special scholarship matching program currently available at UH Hilo.
“We’re excited to do our part and plant the much-needed seeds for the future generation of horticulturalists,” said BIAN president Sean Spellicy.
The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management (CAFNRM) dean William Steiner said the timing for this new scholarship is opportune with increasing tuition and growing college enrollment. “The number of students pursuing agricultural degrees has been growing and we are especially grateful for the BIAN endowment that will provide ongoing support for CAFNRM students,” Steiner shared.
There are approximately 190 students currently enrolled in the CAFNRM, with many of the students in the College specializing in Tropical Horticulture.
This new scholarship will provide financial aid for students who have graduated from a high school in Hawai‘i and are enrolled in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management. Students must achieve a minimum 3.5 GPA.
BIAN was organized in 1968 and includes 73 members. Since the BIAN began, the Big Island has grown to be the hub of a $70 million dollar floriculture and nursery products industry statewide.
To learn more about how you can support UH Hilo, please contact Margaret Shiba at (808) 933-0829 or margaret.shiba@uhfoundation.org.
You can also make a gift online at www.uhfoundation.org/GiveToUHH
The University of Hawai‘i Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawai‘i System. Our mission is to unite our donors’ passions with the University of Hawai‘i’s aspirations to benefit the people of Hawai‘i and beyond. We do this by raising private philanthropic support, managing private investments and nurturing donor and alumni relationships. www.uhfoundation.org