△ MENU/TOP △
North Country Garden Club Logo
 
Garden Bench

Our Scholarship Program

The Virginia W. Smith Scholarship was created in 2004 to honor long-time member Virginia Smith. In recognition of her strong commitment to the North Country Garden Club and The Garden Club of America in the areas of horticulture, conservation and environmental studies, Mrs. Smith’s husband, family and friends established this annual scholarship.

Since its inception, more than thirty Virginia W. Smith Scholarships have been awarded. Deserving high school seniors have received a onetime $2,500 scholarship as they embark on studies at the collegiate level in horticulture, conservation, environmental, sustainability or green initiatives.

The Smith Family is very proud of providing a step in the foundation of our future Conservationists, Horticulturalists and Environmentalists. These students are passionate, motivated and smart. They love the earth.

Recipients have studied at the following institutions:

  • SUNY Farmingdale: Horticulture
  • Princeton University: Environmental Engineering and Environmental Studies
  • Cornell University
  • University of New England: Oceanography
  • Kenyon College: Environmental Studies
  • University of Vermont: Forestry
  • SUNY: Wildlife Conservation/Biology

Past recipients have provided insight on their educational goals:

“I would like to take my education out into the world to work with endangered species organizations to ensure the protection of dangerously threatened animals who are crucial to the healthy function of our earth.”

“I will study both marine biology and resource and environmental conservation which will help us understand how changes on the land influence marine life.”

“My ability to pursue my passions at a college as beneficial to my academic and personal growth as Wheaton has been aided by the generosity of the North Country Garden Club. Having received the Virginia W. Smith Scholarship has been a tremendous asset in allowing me to strive in my goals of becoming a voice for the protection of our environment who is able to utilize an interdisciplinary approach.”