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.
For more information
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Hayley Woodin
Media Specialist, KPU
t: +1 604.599.2883
c: +1 604.364.1288
