Features

Preparing for the Future
A scholarship fund will help support New Hampshire horticulture

One of the key operating principles at Pleasant View Gardens, according to Henry Huntington '80, is: "You can't do it all yourself." The nursery's success over the years has depended on its ability to hire and retain exceptional employees—many of them trained at UNH.

That's why the Huntingtons decided last year to establish a scholarship fund for students in the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture and the Thompson School of Applied Science who are studying plant science, horticulture and related subjects, or applied business management. "Our industry lacks good programs in universities around the country, and there aren't enough students preparing for careers in this field," Henry says. "Ornamental horticulture is the number-one sector of agriculture in New Hampshire, and we're still growing when other sectors are in decline. We want UNH to continue to support both its educational programs and its research in horticulture."

Three generations of Huntingtons are graduates of the Thompson School—Jonathan in 1950, Jeff in 1976, Henry in 1980 and Jeff's son Andrew in 2008—and the family has had close connections with UNH ever since it purchased Pleasant View 33 years ago. Henry is currently on the advisory boards for the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture and the Thompson School's Horticultural Technology program, and Jeff is a member of the Thompson School's Leadership Council.

In establishing a scholarship fund, Jeff Huntington says, "We wanted to give back to the university, but we're also preparing for the future. We need to be able to find good people for our team and for our industry in general. We hope to see some shining stars coming out of UNH."

The first recipient of the Huntington Family Scholarship is Jenny Dorman '10, a horticultural technology student.

—J.C.

Return to Flower Power