Metro Vancouver, B.C. – For his fourth-year business class, Maxence Arignon was tasked with scholarship fundraising.
What he did, however, went over-and-above expectations. During his time at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), Arignon raised $50,000 in scholarships for the university’s School of Horticulture by working hard to foster partnerships with local businesses.
And yesterday, one of those businesses officially announced its contributions to Arignon’s assignment: an endowed scholarship of $20,000.
For 15 years, BC Plant Health Care has dedicated a range of horticultural, arboricultural and general plant-health services to the lawns, yards and streets of Surrey, and beyond. Its endowed scholarship will provide an annual scholarship to a KPU landscape horticulture systems technology student who plans to pursue a career that fits with the company’s environmental ideals.
“If a student is dedicated to learning technologies that improve our environment, they improve our future. If every person were more knowledgeable on proper tree care practices and the importance of trees we would live in a better place,” said Nicole Bracco, the company’s marketing and recruiting coordinator. “We are firm supporters of education and continuing education in this quickly advancing industry. The importance of educating an interested student has become a necessity with the high demand for qualified arborists in our industry.”
“Urban forests are an integral component of fostering healthy communities and strong urban economies,” added Betty Cunnin, KPU horticulture instructor. “The generous award provided by BC Plant Health Care offers KPU horticulture students specializing in arboriculture the opportunity to pursue their professional goals to support the growth and health of our urban tree canopies.”
The first BC Plant Health Care Endowed Award will be given out in 2015.
For more information about the KPU Foundation, visit: kpu.ca/foundation. More on KPU's Langley-based horticulture programs is available at: kpu.ca/hort.
Additional photos are available on KPU's Flickr page.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region since 1981, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts, science, design, health, trades and technology, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 19,000 students annually have a choice from over 124 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates citations and apprenticeships. Learn more at www.kpu.ca.
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Caption: (From left) Gary Jones, co-chair of the KPU School of Horticulture; Betty Cunnin, KPU horticulture instructor; Cliff and Melissa Hoegler, owners of BC Plant Health Care; Elizabeth Worobec, Dean of KPU's Faculty of Science, and; Nicole Bracco, BC Plant Health Care marketing and recruitment coordinator.
Media contact:
Hayley Woodin
Media Specialist, KPU
t: 604.599.2883
c: 604.364.1288
hayley.woodin@kpu.ca
For more KPU news:
@KPUmedia
kpu.ca/newsroom
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