Florida Turfgrass Research Foundation (FTRF) Awards $3,000 in Academic Scholarships

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Mac Carraway, Acting Executive Director

(863) 688-9413 or Mac@FTGA.org

Florida Turfgrass Research Foundation (FTRF) Awards $3,000 in Academic Scholarships

BRADENTON, Fla. (September 26, 2022): The Florida Turfgrass Research Foundation (FTRF) has announced three Florida students will receive scholarships for the 2022 academic year. Two recipients attend the University of Florida (UF) and are preparing for careers in turfgrass management. The third student is attending the University of North Florida and preparing for a career in sports management. These students were selected based on their academic record, leadership capabilities and extra-curricular activities. The FTRF is a 501(c)(3) foundation and is funded through FTGA membership dues and member contributions. To date, the FTRF has awarded $243,500 in scholarships.

Fernanda Arevalo, University of Florida, is awarded the Ralph White Scholarship for $1,000. She chose to study turfgrass because, “Turfgrass science is highly overlooked, and there is a world of opportunities in the research of turfgrass.” She is inspired by the vast availability of data and wants to be part of helping to improve turfgrass management. Arevalo received the Best Undergraduate Dissertation at the Department of Environmental Science in Sustainability at the Zamorano University. Currently, she is working under the guidance of Dr. Marco Schiavon at UF’s Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center.

Pablo Agustin Beori, University of Florida, is awarded the Col. Frank Ward Memorial Scholarship for $1,500. After Beori received his master’s degree in 2019, he decided to continue his education and pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Florida. He has been directing his research program and graduate studies to evaluate plant systems that offer reduced water and fertilizer inputs while still maintaining aesthetic and functional performance. Beori won first place in the graduate student poster competition at the ASA-CSSA-SSSA 2021 International Annual Meeting for his presentation, “Alternative Landscape Conversions vs. Turf-Dominated Lawns: Evaluating Ecosystem Services and Public’s Perception.” He is working under the guidance of Dr. J. Bryan Unruh at UF’s West Florida Research and Education Center.

Adam Chester, University of North Florida, is awarded the third FTGA Legacy Scholarship for $500. His father, Thom Chester, is an FTGA member. Adam graduated from high school with a 4.386 GPA and was an IB Diploma Programme Candidate. He plans to receive a bachelor’s degree in sports management and pursue his education to earn a master’s degree in Athletic Administration.

The Florida Turfgrass Association was founded in 1952 and is dedicated to education, research and the promotion of environmentally responsible and scientifically based management practices for the turfgrass industry. Florida ranks No. 1 in the nation for turfgrass-related economic activity with total revenues estimated at $7.82 billion and total employment of more than 173,000 jobs. The FTGA continues to advocate for and promote the turfgrass industry with extensive research, continuing education and opportunities for turfgrass professionals to network with their colleagues.

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