news

SCPS SCHOLARSHIP FUND UPDATE

In keeping with the Society's aims of promoting the understanding and research of plumeria, the SCPS has taken a two-prong approach to allocating scholarship monies. We support local ornamental horticultural programs to educate prospective landscapers and designers about the beauty and ease of plumerias in the landscape; we also support academic research that expands the scientific understanding of plumeria.

The SCPS conducted an exhaustive search in 2009 to determine which programs would best meet our goals. Thanks to Betty Feldman, Joy Herzog, Jeff Hopper, and Kim Schultz - our SCPS Scholarship Committee. The programs selected were the Ornamental Horticulture program at Cuyamaca Community College, California and the plumeria research program headed by Dr. Richard Criley at the University of Hawaii, Manoa.

Cuyamaca College

Ronnie Hoff (right), one of our 2011 Cuyamaca College interns, and Gabe Mitchell (left), our 2010 intern.

We have an exceptional relationship with Cuyamaca College's widely-regarded Ornamental Horticulture degree program. For the past two years, we have sponsored internships, where recipients spend the summer conducting research on plumeria. For an example, see 2010 intern Gabe Mitchell's experiment results presentation. Interns are required to conduct research and create a presentation of their findings, participate in SCPS events, and attend SCPS meetings, and the SCPS has been better for their participation. Thanks to Joy and Carl Herzog for their generous donations of plants, time, and knowledge in working with our interns.

Due to the generous donations of our members, we were able to expand the program from supporting one intern in 2010 to two interns in 2011. A report on their progress will be coming in 2012.

University of Hawaii Manoa

We also provide a scholarship for the education of a doctoral student in Dr. Richard Criley's program at the University of Hawaii. What follows is a 2010 update from that student, Kauahi Perez:

I would like to thank you all once again for your generous monetary donation. I am very appreciative of this opportunity that you have given me to further my Plumeria research. This past May I obtained my Master’s Degree in Tropical Plant and Soil Science here at the University of Hawaii Manoa. Shortly thereafter, I applied to do a Ph.D at UH Manoa in Plumeria and was accepted into the doctorate program.

Our University of Hawaii intern, Kauahi Perez, performs experiments in the research fields

Over the summer of 2011, I’ve made many crosses between rust-resistant Plumeria and varieties that are susceptible to Plumeria rust. Currently, I am evaluating these crosses. This year as part of my dissertation research, I will be conducting cross-compatibility studies particularly with Plumeria caracasana, P. pudica, “Pop’s Red” and “Celadine.” These studies require the use of certain chemicals that will be purchased with a portion of the funds you have provided.

In the near future, I will be starting a phylogenetic study of the different Plumeria species to examine how many species we actually have in the world. A component of this study will involve molecular work and the use of DNA kits that I will also purchase with the funds you provided.

I would like to thank all the members of the Southern California Plumeria Society for the generous scholarship. I am very excited to get started on my research and I do look forward to giving you all an update on my progress in the future.

Thank you ever so much, Kauahi Perez

Donation Information

You can make a tax-deductible donation to the scholarship fund by mailing your check to SCPS. For more information about the SCPS scholarship program, please contact the chair of the committee, Arlene Martin.