HERNDON, Va., March 22, 2013 — The Professional Landcare Network Academic Excellence Foundation (PLANET AEF) presented scholarships and awards to students at the 37th annual PLANET Student Career Days—The National Collegiate Landscape Competition—held March 7–10, 2013, at Auburn University in Auburn, Ala. Since its inception in 1998, the PLANET AEF has given more than $730,000 in scholarships and awards to 720 students. In 2013 alone, the PLANET AEF has given a total of $75,700 in awards and scholarships.
Fifty-two scholarships were presented at a special reception, sponsored by Stihl Inc., which kicked off the event March 7. A list of the recipients of the PLANET AEF scholarships can be found on the PLANET AEF website.
“On behalf of the entire PLANET AEF Board of Directors, we congratulate the 2013 class of scholarship recipients,” says Jim McCutcheon, Landscape Industry Certified, PLANET AEF president. “I’m thrilled to see the passion that lies with each and every one of these students. It gives me great confidence knowing that our industry will become stronger with these future leaders.”
This year’s PLANET AEF President’s Scholarship, in the amount of $3,000, was awarded to Samantha August from Columbus State Community College. The President’s Scholarship is awarded by the PLANET AEF judging panel, which looks for a student who demonstrates all the criteria set forth by the PLANET AEF Board of Directors and who has high scholastic achievements, industry-related activities, and community service.
The PLANET AEF also awarded the three top scoring Student Career Days students, known as Superstars, a total of $3,000 at the Closing Ceremonies held on March 10:
- First Place, $1,500: Chase Ricks, Brigham Young University – Provo
- Second Place, $1,000: Alex Nisbet, Alamance Community College
- Third Place, $500: Jeff Elshoff, Michigan State University
Dr. Joseph Eakes, a professor at Auburn University, was also awarded $1,000 as the 2013 PLANET AEF Outstanding Educator of the Year. (Editor’s Note: See related story here)
In spring 2011, the PLANET AEF board launched its 5-by-5 initiative to help raise the fund balance from $2 million to $5 million over the course of five years. Today, the fund has grown to $3.1 million.
