The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), the AmericanHort Foundation, has selected first-year University of Connecticut student, Felicia Millett, as its 2019-2020 Timothy S. and Palmer W. Bigelow, Jr. Scholar. Felicia has been awarded $3,000 to pursue a plant sciences degree with concentration in ornamental horticulture.
After seven years under her belt working as an arborist, Felicia became aware that much of her work revolved around tree removal but she desired a career focused more on maintaining healthy plants. Felicia is currently climbing to new heights to obtain her Associate of Applied Science degree at the University of Connecticut. She is eager to study plant breeding of native plants to replace invasive plants, with specific interest in woody plants.
"I hope to follow the lead of those who are selecting native or beneficial plants for their research and to combine that purpose with the ability to show people the natural beauty inherent in those species," said Felicia.
Felicia is a 2019 AmericanHort Scholar and an active participant of the University of Connecticut Horticulture Club. She plans to find work as a research assistant or work in one of the university's greenhouses or soil labs to hone in on her future career.
The Timothy S. and Palmer W. Bigelow, Jr. Scholarship was created in 1988 by the Bigelow family to aid students from New England who are seeking a career in horticulture. The scholarship was dedicated initially to one of the family's children, the late Timothy Bigelow. At Palmer W. "Bill" Bigelow's death, the name of its creator was added. The Bigelow family considers student scholarships the most important commitment the horticultural industry can make to ensure the growth and development of the nursery and landscape industry.
Horticultural Research Institute