Laura Hillman (Bernie Swindeman Memorial Scholarship) – Laura is working on her PhD in Horticulture with an area of interest in the physiology of fruit set in apples. She has spent many years working at a local orchard owned by friends and has experienced all the tasks related to caring for fruit trees. In her work at MSU she has tested a new fruit-set model and presented these results to the industry. After graduation, she hopes to continue in the industry through an Extension position.
Carmen Beemer (Valent USA Scholarship) – Carmen is majoring in Horticultural Science with a focus on fruit tree pests and diseases. She most recently worked, for her Internship with Gold Coast Sales (Sparta, MI), as a scout for orchard pests and diseases. Carmen was chosen as the 2023-24 National Cherry Queen. After graduation, she will likely return to Gold Coast as a full-time employee, a professional position that will keep her directly involved in Michigan agriculture — so she can “… continue to help producers be successful.”
Adrianna Malburg (Syngenta Scholarship) – Adrianna is studying Horticulture with a focus on fruit tree management. She has diverse experience in industry, from working at the West Central Research Station in Hart to interning as crop scout for Wilbur Ellis. Her goal is to find a career in tree fruit management and help sustainably grow healthy food.
Joeseph Reamsnyder (Jordan B. Tatter Scholarship) – Joe is an undergraduate student from NW Ohio majoring in Horticulture, who has been active in the MSU Student Horticulture Association for three years (currently the club’s Recording Secretary). He carries a 4.0 GPA and has competed in the National Collegiate Landscape Competition where he helped the team place 5th overall (out of 46 other university/college cubs from around the US and Canada), by placing 2nd (out of 54 students) in individual competition. Furthermore, he is a third-year member of the MSU Spartan Marching Band. In addition to the Tatter Scholarship, Joe has received three scholarships from MSU’s Honors College. He intends to complete his BS in Horticulture this coming May; whereupon Joe plans to work on a Masters degree in vegetable breeding or weed science.