The first two recipients of the Dr. Inge White Scholarship endowment each received $500 per semester for tuition and books at Windward Community College. The White scholarships will support two students every year in the Certificate of Achievement in Agripharmatech program. Spencer Waite and Paula Duke are the inaugural recipients.
“Receiving the Dr. Inge White Endowed Scholarship will assist me in finishing up my schooling. Through this program I have learned how to process nutraceutical plants into bioproducts. Generally, these are value-added products fulfilling a niche in the market,” said Waite.
Through the agripharmatech certificate program, students receive hands-on training and conduct field and laboratory research in plant-based product manufacturing and plant biotechnology.
“It is a profound honor to be selected for the Dr. Inge White scholarship. The scholarship came at a perfect time when the funds can be applied to my remaining credit. This will allow me to complete the Certificate of Achievement in agripharmatech,” said Duke. “I hope to continue expanding my knowledge of biotechnology, ethnobotany and entrepreneurship by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in plant production and management.
"My ultimate goal is to serve communities by growing and creating biomedicinal products that help them thrive.”
Opportunities for higher education
A drive for the Dr. Inge White Scholarship Endowment was spearheaded in 2018 by Professor Emerita Jacquie Maly and grew to exceed its original $25,000 goal. After the endowment was fully funded in September 2020, Honolulu Orchid Society continued its pledge to support the scholarship endowment for a total pledge of $3,000 over five years.
“This is technology in agriculture and plant-related sciences that can lead students to employment or opportunities for higher education,” said Professor Emerita Inge White, former coordinator of the agripharmatech program. “It doesn’t matter where you go; you can go anywhere—plant knowledge can be applied to life.”
Agripharmatech students have presented their research in Singapore, South Africa and Ecuador at the World Orchid Conference and at the scientific conferences on Andean Orchids.
“These students honor Dr. White’s legacy of place-based, science-informed, Hawaiʻi-relevant education. The purposeful generosity of Dr. White, Dr. Maly, Honolulu Orchid Society president Brad Lau, the Honolulu Orchid Society and the donors provides for students and grows our college and community,” said Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg.
Learn how to give to the Dr. Inge White Scholarship Endowment.
For more information about the agripharmatech program and scholarship opportunities, contact Hongwei Li at [email protected] or call (808) 236-9104.
Questions? / More Information
If you would like to learn how you can support UH students and programs like this, please contact us at 808 376-7800 or send us a message.
