Sidney B. Meadows Fund Awards $24,000 in Scholarships 

ACWORTH, GA, August 15, 2025 – The Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Fund, created in 1989 by the Southern Nursery Association (SNA), has announced the names of twelve students from eight universities chosen to receive academic scholarships this year. Eight of the awards are named scholarships honoring past industry leaders or loved ones. This year’s awards were $2,000 each, totaling $24,000. Awards are being presented to the following excelling scholars:

Emma Coogan – North Carolina State University

Ryan Elms – Texas A&M University

Greta Gallina – University of Georgia – Richard Van Landingham

Kathryn Huether – Stephen F. Austin State University – Lee C. Howell Scholarship

Mona Jones – Cornell University – Dr. Bryson L. James Scholarship

Madison Love – University of Georgia – Arthur A. "Buck" Jones Scholarship

Mason Marshall – Texas A&M University – Dr. James & Faye Foret

Greg Marshall – North Carolina State University

Cole Mislevy – University of Florida – Sally Smith Scholarship

Ryan Joseph Rey – University of Florida – Richard J. Hackney Scholarship

Nathan Sims – University of Rhode Island

Meg Smolinski – University of Maryland – Art & Millie Lancaster Scholarship

Scholarship recipients are determined through a competitive application process, administered by a selection committee, based on academics, determination, demonstrated interest in the horticulture industry, and financial need. This year’s recipients were chosen from a very competitive group of applicants. 

Danny Summers, the Executive Vice President of the fund, praised students who received scholarships, highlighting their academic excellence and passion for horticulture. According to Summers, these scholarships are crucial for students, reducing financial stress and allowing them to focus more effectively on their studies. He expressed confidence that the scholarship recipients will become valuable contributors to the horticulture industry upon completing their education.

This was the third year that the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund and the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), two leading scholarship-granting foundations in the green industry, announced their collaboration in creating a common application form for their respective scholarship programs. This partnership makes it easier for students to apply for multiple scholarship programs at once and mitigate the time-consuming application process.  Feedback from this year’s applicants confirmed the process was easy, and the ability to apply for more than one scholarship (if eligible) was a real plus.

The financial support offered by the fund has allowed many students the opportunity to work toward their educational goals. With this year’s awards, the fund has awarded a total of $674,000 since its establishment in 1989. The fund’s current assets are now more than $1,000,000. Eight named funds have been established to date: The Dr. James & Faye Foret Fund, the Richard J. “Dick” Hackney Fund, the Lee C. Howell Fund, the Dr. Bryson L. James Fund, the Arthur A. “Buck” Jones Fund, the Art & Millie Lancaster Fund, the Sally Smith Fund, and the Robert L. VanLandingham Fund. 

Interested in establishing a Named Scholarship to honor a loved one, past industry leader, or company? Named Scholarships are established with a commitment of $30,000, with a minimum of $5,000 to begin and fulfillment over the next five years. Once established, a scholarship will be made annually in the designated name.

Interested in supporting horticultural students here in the Southeast? Simply visit our website for details. They will appreciate your support, and the industry will see a return on investing in them for decades to come. Thank you in advance for your support!

Created in 1989 by the Southern Nursery Association (SNA), The Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund is a 501 (c) 3 corporation providing scholarships to students who are residents of these sixteen southeastern states – Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia – pursuing a career in horticulture. The scholarship is dedicated to one of the most honored horticultural leaders in the southeast, the late Sidney B. Meadows, a Past President of the Southern Nursery Association, who was an avid supporter of student scholarships and believed that providing aid for students was an important way to ensure the growth and development of all facets of the industry. The fund derives its income from individual and corporate contributions and is governed by the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund board of directors.

The application for 2026 scholarships will be available in early 2026. Those interested in receiving scholarship information or the latest fund news can subscribe to the automated information system on the fund’s website.

More details on scholarship eligibility can be found at www.sbmsef.org. For more information on the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund, forward your inquiry to PO Box 801513, Acworth, GA 30101, 678.813.1880, info@sbmsef.org, or visit www.sbmsef.org.

HRI, established in 1962, has provided scholarship and research funding in excess of $9.5 million. Both organizations recognize the importance and value of education in this field and are dedicated to helping students pursue their studies. To learn more about HRI,  visit www.hriresearch.org. 

Download the full Announcement HERE