Uplifting Future Educators and Scientists: 2025 Paul Ecke, Jr. and Altman Family Scholarship Recipients
Four graduate students working to elevate the horticulture industry have been honored for their accomplishments through two academic scholarship programs administered through the American Floral Endowment (AFE).
, a master’s degree student at North Carolina State University, is the recipient of the 2025 . Andre will receive a total of $10,000 ($5,000 each for two consecutive years) to help fund his education.
Three students received the 2025 , a $5,000 award for each. Those students are , a master’s degree student at Michigan State University; , a doctoral student at Michigan State University; and , a doctoral student at North Carolina State University.
The Paul Ecke, Jr. and Altman Family scholarships are part of AFE’s commitment to providing opportunities for all segments of the industry through education, scholarships, internships and research.
said Debi Chedester, executive director of AFE.
The scholarship honors the late Paul Ecke, Jr., a horticulturist from California credited with moving the industry forward with his innovation and educational program development in the field. The scholarship awards the chosen scholar with $5,000 for two consecutive years ($10,000 total). The recipient must be pursuing a Master’s or Doctorate degree at a U.S. land-grant university. For more information about the scholarship,
As an undergraduate student at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, Andre set out with a career goal to do what he was familiar with while growing up. His parents and grandparents were farmers. It was the life he had always known. So, he began college studying conservation ecology.
But by his junior year at the university, he developed a strong interest in plant cycles and growth and how they relate to natural systems. It was a moment of realization that his interests had expanded to both conservation and sustainability and how those are applicable to the production system. By the time he had graduated with his bachelor’s degree in conservation ecology, he was invested in horticulture. He went to work for a company that specialized in producing organic substrates and found a passion for research in the field.
he said.
It was a by-chance meeting in South Africa that led Andre to the United States to continue his studies and research in substrates. Dr. Brian Jackson, professor and director of the Horticultural Substrates Lab at NC State, was on a visit to the vermiculite mines in South Africa and a guest speaker at the Seedling Growers Association of South Africa annual conference. It was there that Brian met Andre and recruited him to NC State to pursue a master’s degree.
A year and a half later, Andre said he is more passionate about the field than ever.
“I think it’s sort of diving into the unknown that is so appealing to me. It is these things that we do not know about, and it’s about slowly discovering each of these little puzzle pieces and trying to piece them together,” he said.“That is what keeps me going. It’s like a continuous cliffhanger that you’re waiting for all these exciting things and results to come in. It’s a passion that pulls me out of bed at night. I think it’s quite fulfilling.”
Andre said he envisions a career that allows him to equally balance a hands-on approach, working alongside growers and being part of the practical side of horticulture, with plenty of time to continue research in the field.
he said.
For now, Andre is focused on completing his master’s degree in horticultural sciences with an anticipated graduation date in December 2025. He plans to continue his education at NC State to obtain his Ph.D. in horticulture. He said earning the Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship has been an honor in more ways than one.
“I think that the money is obviously a fantastic bonus, but it’s definitely an encouragement to have the recognition for a lot of the hard work and sleepless nights that I’ve had with the research that I’ve been doing,” he said. “That is such a massive positive aspect of the scholarship for me.”
Created in 2015 by Ken and Deena Altman, the Altman Family Scholarship seeks to support improvement in horticulture education and research by investing in outstanding, young industry professionals. The Altmans believe in the power of giving back and do so through the reach of this scholarship and Altman Plants programs that offer growing expertise to the industry. This scholarship provides an annual scholarship ($5,000) to promising and dedicated graduate students pursuing a career in horticulture. For more information,
When Rose Elbert was a little girl, little did she know that when her parents took her to the Family Tree Nursery garden center near her home in Kansas for horticulture camp, it would be a prelude to her future.
Now, Rose is months away from earning her master’s degree in horticulture. Upon her graduation in December 2025, she plans to continue her education to earn a Ph.D. in the field before setting out to apply her research and studies to advance the industry.
In addition to her studies and research, Rose had the opportunity to be immersed in the industry through two internships. In the summer of 2022, she interned at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library. While there, she gained insight into working with a variety of annual plant materials intermixed with the native species of Delaware. She was trained to identify invasive species, proper planting techniques, and operation of landscape equipment. In 2023, Rose interned at Willow Lake Student Farm in Manhattan, Kansas, where she learned more about small-scale vegetable production techniques, running a community-supported agriculture program, organic pest management, and outdoor cut flower production. She also wrote weekly newsletters.
Rose said one of the things that attracts her to the industry is the interaction with other horticulturists. It is the people, she noted, blended with industry research, that have helped her create a goal of becoming a professor. she said.
Earning the 2025 Altman Family Scholarship is an incredible honor, Rose said, noting her thanks to her advisor, Dr. Roberto Lopez, who encouraged her to apply. She is grateful to the Altman family for believing in young professionals and helping them reach their goals.
she said.
One could say that Henry Gonzalez was born into horticulture. The Michigan State University graduate student is a native of Nahuizalco, a town in El Salvador that is part of what is known as “The Flower’s Route.” An area highlighted by charming blooms and natural wonders, it is a fitting environment for someone who would one day move the needle on horticulture and environmental research.
“I would say I learned from my grandmother. Since I was a child, she shared some traditional knowledge with me on plant propagation, irrigation, and the importance of bees,” said Henry.
Before entering the doctoral program at Michigan State, Henry earned a bachelor’s degree in environment from Zamorano University in Honduras and a master’s degree in mechanized systems management with water planning from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
In addition to his dedication to his studies and research, Henry has a deep commitment to mentorship and community service. He said the passion to remain active in those areas stems from several people who have mentored and supported him. His biggest supporters are his family, he noted.
he said.
Henry said he also draws inspiration from an opportunity to learn English as a result of mentorship from his high school teachers.
he said. “ I just feel like it sends a strong message about working hard for your dreams. In Zamorano, we have this phrase that I always use: Labor omnia vincit, which means, Work Conquers All.”
Henry said he plans to carry mentorship into his future career as a professor in the field of horticulture. As he looks ahead, he said the one thing he hopes his students will take with them into their own careers is a strong understanding of what the industry is and what it isn’t.
he said.
Earning the Altman Family Scholarship is an incredible honor, he noted. He said that while the financial support is deeply appreciated, being recognized is a meaningful affirmation of dedication to an academic and research journey.
Bret Timmons – North Carolina State University – Altman Family Scholarship
Bret Timmons proudly served his country, earning a Certificate of Commendation for performance of duties while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2007-08. Afterward, he decided to enroll in college using the GI Bill to study political science.
“After a couple of semesters, it felt like a dead end – not necessarily in terms of value, but in fit,” he said.
It was a vacation trip to Idaho that would open his eyes to his future. When he found himself surrounded by farms and ranches, he realized those were the things that mattered.
“Plant production began to check all the boxes – being outdoors, working with people, solving real problems, and producing something that improves daily life for others,” he said. “That was my ah-ha moment. I came home and changed my major. I haven’t looked back.”
Since then, Bret has earned a bachelor’s degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona, a master’s degree from Cornell University, and is now a doctoral student at North Carolina State University working with alternatives to peat-based substrates for floriculture producers.
Bret said upon his anticipated graduation in May 2026, his ultimate goal is to become a professor, where he will have an opportunity to shape the next generation of horticulture industry members and solve the problems within the industry.
“I love the idea of tackling real-world challenges in horticulture and being part of the solution. But even more than that, the chance to mentor students – help them find that moment when plant science clicks is incredibly powerful,” he said. “When a student asks to walk with you after class because something you said lit a fire in their brain, that’s when you realize this work matters.”
He said the biggest lesson he hopes his future students leave his classroom with is never to underestimate the importance of mastering the basics as everything else builds on that.
As a recipient of the 2025 Altman Family Scholarship, Bret said he is grateful to be recognized.
“Altman Plants is about more than growing plants – they invest in people. Their support tells me that someone sees the work I’ve put in and believes in where I’m heading. That’s humbling and motivating. The scholarship helps financially, of course, but it also says: keep going,” he said. “I want to give a sincere thank you to the Altman Family, the American Floral Endowment, and everyone who supports students in this field. You’re not just helping us go to school, you’re helping build the future of horticulture. Life is for growing!”
To learn more about our Paul Ecke, Jr. and Altman Family Scholarships and to apply, click here. Applications are due by Feb. 1 each year.
By Carla Dempsey
