University of Maryland Graduate Student Receives 2024 Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship

Jennifer Gray • November 11, 2024

Columbus, Ohio – November 7, 2024 — The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), the leading industry foundation dedicated to advancing horticultural education and research, proudly announces Elliott Kenney as the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 2002 by the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, Inc. (MANTS) to honor Carville M. Akehurst’s significant contributions to the horticulture industry and his commitment to education.

A woman wearing glasses and a sweater is smiling for the camera.

Vanessa Finney, Executive Vice President of MANTS and daughter of Carville Akehurst, expressed her support for the scholarship program and excitement for this year’s recipient, saying, “This scholarship honors our father’s belief in the power of education and his passion for the green industry. We are thrilled to see the scholarship awarded to Elliott Kenney. We are proud to support her educational journey and look forward to seeing her contributions to the industry.”

 

The Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship, part of the HRI scholarship program, commemorates the legacy of Mr. Akehurst, who dedicated over 30 years to the horticulture industry, including his role as Executive Vice-President of MANTS and Executive Secretary for numerous Maryland horticulture associations. MANTS established this scholarship with the belief that a strong education is essential to the future success of the nursery and landscape profession, embodying Mr. Akehurst’s values of opportunity and achievement through education.

 

MANTS is a premier event for the horticulture industry, consistently attracting over 11,000 attendees and more than 900 exhibitors. Known as the “Masterpiece of Trade Shows,” MANTS is sponsored by the State Nursery and Landscape Associations of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

 

HRI, established in 1962, has granted over $10 million in scholarships and research grants, supporting the next generation of horticulture professionals. HRI’s scholarship program offers financial assistance to students who demonstrate a commitment to a career in the green industry, ensuring the vitality and growth of horticulture. To learn more about HRI's scholarship program, including the Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship, visit HRI Scholarship Application and Resources.

Share This Post

Horticultural Research Institute tHRive web series logo with green, red, and yellow icon

A Biological Plot Twist: Can an Adventive Parasitoid Protect Boxwood?

By Jen Gray • August 12, 2026
CABI and USDA APHIS are collaborating on the biological control of the box tree moth using parasitoids from Asia. Several parasitoid species are currently under consideration for introduction into North America and Europe. One of these parasitoids arrived in Europe on its own and has begun controlling the moth on both planted trees and in wild boxwood stands. The webinar will describe the spread and impact of this adventive parasitoid in Europe and present efforts to assess the potential of this species and others as biological control agents in North America.
HRI Leadership Academy logo with multicolored flower icon and text “An AmericanHort & HRI Initiative”

HRI Leadership Academy Selects Class of 2027

By Jennifer Gray • June 30, 2026
Meet the HRI Leadership Academy Class of 2027. This intensive year-long program equips green industry leaders with strategic insight and business acumen.
Blurred green foliage filling the frame

Empowering Specialty Crop Growers with Data-Driven Decision Tools: The HortCalculator

By Jennifer Gray • June 17, 2026
This session will introduce the HortCalculator, an online decision-support tool designed to help ornamental growers translate farm-level data into actionable financial insights. The tool generates clear analyses of profitability, breakeven points, and return on investment, giving growers confidence to evaluate sustainable production practices and new technologies. By linking financial literacy with production decisions, the HortCalculator helps growers balance profitability and sustainability, strengthening resilience in ornamental horticulture systems. The session will highlight practical applications for nursery, greenhouse, and specialty crop operations, while also exploring opportunities for research, education, and industry partnerships to scale the tool across crops and regions.
Show More