Even when times are hard … Horticulture is Still the Best Career to Choose
In our last article, we shared some of the recruitment activities that Helen Kraus, Lee Ivy, and Lis Meyer have taken on to help keep the HortPack strong. I am glad to share that we have 17 new and transfer 4-year (BS) students and nine 2-year (AAS) students. This keeps our numbers at, or just above, where we have been over the last few years – a total of 112 students in the 4-year (BS) and 28 students in the 2-year (AAS) programs.
We received a grant this year that enabled us to offer scholarships to some of our incoming students. This was the first time that we have been able to give scholarships to our new students. It felt great to welcome them to the HortPack in such a generous way. We are now seeking funds to keep this scholarship program going.
Unfortunately, we also have some new challenges to recruiting students that require us to seek funds. We attend several trade shows and recruitment events where we have to pay for booth space and registration fees. Additionally we need to purchase recruitment materials (give-aways, brochures, packets). Funds for these activities are also no longer available.
If you would like to contribute funds to either the freshman scholarship program or our recruitment efforts, please make checks payable to NC Agriculture Foundation. Please send a letter with your check stating that the funds are an unrestricted gift to the Undergraduate Programs in the department of Horticultural Science. If you would like a receipt to document your donation for tax purposes, please indicate so in your letter and we will be happy to send you one.