Once again in 2025, the Philadelphia Society for the Promoting Agriculture (PSPA) will award the Fred Winter Memorial Scholarships for Excellence in Horticulture to outstanding regional college students who plan to pursue careers in horticulture. Two $3,000 scholarships will be given.

Dr. Fred Winter was a gardener extraordinaire, horticulturalist and ardent rhododendron propagator from the Pottstown, PA area. His farm, Schuylkill Navigation Company Farm, is listed in the archives of American Gardens of the Smithsonian.  The memorial scholarships are possible due to the continuing support of Mrs. Barbara Winter, Dr. Winter’s widow.

Charles F. Colvin is a recipient of the Fred Winter 2025 Memorial Award for Excellence in Horticulture given by the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture.  Colvin is a rising senior at Penn State University where he majors in plant science and minors in agronomy.  A scholarship in the amount of $3,000 will be given by Mrs. Barbara Winter at the PSPA meeting on July 17, 2025.

With a 4.0 average, Colvin in a resident of Malvern, PA.  During his tenure at Penn State, he has received numerous grants and research awards as well as publishing in plant science journals.  Colvin has worked at the Chopra Maize Genetics Lab on-campus since 2023 as well as internships in Florida and Nebraska.

“I am committed to contributing to the industry by developing innovative solutions to address the changing demands of agriculture.  My goal is to be a versatile and adaptable profession who can tackle any agricultural challenge….”

Colton Del Collo is a recipient of the Fred Winter 2025 Memorial Award for Excellence in Horticulture given by the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture.  Del Collo will be a graduating senior at Delaware Valley University where he majored in horticulture.  A scholarship in the amount of $3,000 will be given by Mrs. Barbara Winter at the PSPA meeting on July 17, 2025.

With a 3.9 average, Del Collo in a resident of Hopewell, NJ.  During his tenure at Del Val, he has received numerous grants and honors as well as vice-chairing the Del Val Plant Breeders Club and founding the Del Val Arboretum Club.  He did internships at Winterthur and Longwood Gardens.

“One of the main reasons that I am pursuing a graduate degree…is to be a leader capable of moving gardens into the future.  I would eventually like to become a Director of Horticulture at a public garden.

Good luck to Charles and Colton as they pursue their careers in horticulture.