The University of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and Cooperative Extension Service (CES) granted Samuel Joseph a $500 scholarship. Joseph, a junior Information Systems and Technology major on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, received the scholarship check along with a certificate on Jan. 31, 2017, at the first AES student research meeting of spring 2017 semester.
“This scholarship encourages UVI students to pursue their interest in agriculture by providing an additional incentive to work with AES scientists,” said Dr. Bob Godfrey, director of the Agricultural Experiment Station. “Joseph was selected based on his work with Dr. Tom Zimmerman in the AES Biotechnology and Agroforestry research program. The scholarship will assist him with financial support for the classes he is taking this semester.”
The scholarship highlights a student success that is supported by two programs that seek to create educational opportunities for UVI students outside the classroom, in different ways. In doing so, AES and CES can work together to support the Land Grant mission and the UVI strategic plan.
“Receiving the AES-CES scholarship was a wonderful feeling and a true testament to the fact that hard work really does pay off,” said Samuel. “Ever since I started to work for AES, they have given me so many opportunities and exposed me to so many different experiences. The scholarship is just one of many great opportunities that I have been blessed with through this program.”
The funds for the scholarship were derived from revenue generated when AES and CES hosted the joint annual meeting of the Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors, and the Association of Southern Regional Extension Directors. Individuals attending the conference paid a registration fee, and funds were left over. AES and CES administrators decided to use the money to develop a scholarship for students who were working in either of their programs. Funds are still available, and a request for applications will be sent out later this semester.
For more information on AES, visit http://aes.uvi.edu and on CES visit http://ces.uvi.edu.