Jaclyn Nelson, Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American Floral Endowment awarded 17 students nationwide, scholarships totaling more than $37,000 in October. Out of more than 75 applications received for this scholarship cycle, Jaclyn Nelson, a Univeristy of Nebraska–Lincoln horticulture major, was awarded the Jacob and Rita Van Namen Marketing Scholarship for $1,100.
Nelson is a junior from Wallace, Neb., studying horticulture-entrepreneurship, with a focus on floral design and business and is an Angler Agribusiness Entrepreneur. Her adviser is Associate Professor Dave Lambe. Her career goal is to own her own floral consulting business.
“Instead of owning an average floral shop, I plan to sub-contract with businesses to fill their floral needs and work in the wedding industry,” she said.
The Jacob and Rita Van Namen Marketing Scholarship was established in January 1997. Jacob Van Namen is a true entrepreneur who built a multimillion-dollar business in wholesale floriculture. This award is intended to develop knowledgeable, creative individuals who will improve the floriculture industry. The Van Namen Scholarship requires students have a career interest in agribusiness marketing and distribution of floral products and be a sophomore, junior or senior.
AFE awards scholarships annually and applications are due May 1 of each year. Scholarship descriptions are available at http://endowment.org/scholarships.