UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDACOLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND LIFE SCIENCES AWARDS $2,000 SCHOLARSHIPS TO FORT PIERCE STUDENTS
July 14, 2006
FORT PIERCE, Fla.--Four local University of Florida students, including Port St. Lucie residents, Cody Hoffman and Zach Langford, were awarded a total of $2,000 scholarships with which to continue their academic pursuits at the UF Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce. The scholarship awards were provided by the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in Gainesville.
The students, who are pursuing Bachelor's degrees in Agribusiness Management are: Hoffman and Landford, Fort Pierce resident Richard Freeman, and Okeechobee resident Kenny Osteen.
"The four students are outstanding academically, and in their professions," said PJ van Blokland," a professor and the teaching program director at the UF Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce. "They each will become leaders in the local agricultural industry."
van Blokland said the scholarships were provided by the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences to promote scholarly work among those who are pursuing careers in agricultural industries along the Treasure Coast.
Hoffman, Langford and Freeman are employed full-time as truck operators by Lambeth Groves Inc., based in Vero Beach. Lambeth Groves is one of the region's most prominent fruit growing and packing firms. Their duties with Lambeth Groves include overseeing shipping of products, maintenance of the firm's truck fleet and truck driving.
Prior to attending UF, the three were enrolled at the Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton, Georgia.
Freeman is also a recipient of the Florida Bright Future Scholarship and several other agricultural awards. A native of Winter Garden, Fla., he plans to continue his work with citrus or cattle in south or central Florida.
Prior to his employment with Lambeth Groves, Langford operated a small business. He said he is interested in pursuing a Master of Agribusiness degree at the UF location in Fort Pierce upon completion of his bachelor's degree. His career goal is to work in sales for an agricultural firm. He holds an Associate in Arts degree in Business from Indian River Community College, where he was many times honored on the Dean's List. He is a native of Winter Garden, Fla.
Hoffman said he too will pursue a Master of Agribusiness degree at the UF location in Fort Pierce. His career goal is to work in sales for a prominent agricultural chemical supplier. He holds an Associate in Arts degree in Business from Indian River Community College, where he was honored on the Dean's List all semesters. He is a native of Monte Verde, Fla.
Osteen holds a prominent position with a local agricultural firm, Osteen Farms based in Okeechobee. He oversees the firm's employees and its hydroponics vegetables and crops production. He was recently inducted into the University of Florida chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta fraternity, an historic international agricultural honor society that encourages high standards of scholarship. He is a recent recipient of the Bud Adams Scholarship award and an IRREC Scholarship Award. Osteen earned an Associate in Arts degree in Agribusiness from Indian River Community College.
UF/IFAS/IRREC