The American Floral Endowment has awarded Jaclyn Nelson, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln horticulture major, the Jacob and Rita Van Namen Marketing Scholarship for 2016.
Nelson, a senior minoring in agribusiness, is the owner of Marie's Floral in Wallace, Nebraska. She interned last summer at Tessfresh Flowers in San Diego, California and this summer interned at Bachman's in Minnesota as part of the AFE Mosmiller Internship Program.
“I look forward to gaining the experience and education I need, to make my business a success and then expand my business into the high-end weddings and events market,” Nelson said.
Nelson is involved with the UNL Horticulture Club and serves as vice president for Pi Alpha Xi, Alpha-Gamma Chapter—the National Honor Society for Horticulture. She is advised by UNL Agronomy and Horticulture Associate Professor of Practice David Lambe.
The Jacob and Rita Van Namen Marketing Scholarship, established in January 1997, is named for Jacob Van Namen, 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 to have a career interest in agribusiness marketing and distribution of floral products.
The AFE has awarded seventeen students in 2016 with scholarships totaling more than $35,000. For more information about AFE scholarships see http://endowment.org/scholarships.
