Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship

The Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship was established in 2002 by the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, Inc. (MANTS). This scholarship serves to memorialize Mr. Akehurst who served the horticultural industry as one of the founders of MANTS. In addition to his thirty plus years as Executive Vice-President of MANTS, Mr. Akehurst serves as Executive Secretary of the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association, the Maryland Nurserymen's Association Horticulture Research Foundation, Maryland Christmas Tree Growers, American Conifer Society, and Maryland Greenhouse Growers' Association.

MANTS, an association formed from the state nursery and landscape associations of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, has established this scholarship with the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) with the belief that the strength and future success of the horticulture industry lies in the solid education of today's students. MANTS' establishment of this scholarship is a reflection of Mr. Akehurst's firm belief that education begets one the opportunity to achieve. Through this scholarship, MANTS will provide scholarship opportunity to qualified students to help ensure the continuity of the nursery and landscape profession.

One scholarship up to $5000 is available for the 2022-2023 school year

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must

A) Be a resident of one of the three MANTS member states: Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia. Attendance at an institution within these states is not mandatory

B) Be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate landscape/horticulture program or related discipline at a two or four year institution

C) Be enrolled in good standing and carry a full-time course load at the time of application and during the semesters for which the scholarship is granted

D) Have a minimum grade point average overall of 2.7 based on a scale of 4.0, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 in their major

E) Have at least a junior standing in a four-year curriculum or senior standing in a two-year curriculum as of the fall semester of scholarship application year.

F) Preference will be given to applicants who plan to work within the industry (including nursery operation, landscape/architecture/design/construction/maintenance, interiorscape, horticultural distribution, or retail garden center) following graduation.

G) Previous Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship award winners are eligible for additional funding and may reapply for the scholarship.