LEXINGTON PARK, Md. (December 21, 2011)—Toyota of Southern Maryland has donated $2,500 to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland to award grant money to deserving students from St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties who study to preserve the waters and water shed lands of the Chesapeake Bay. The dealership is also working with Toyota USA to secure a matching grant to bring the total scholarship fund to $5,000. Up to 5 scholarships of $1,000 each will be made available this spring semester, likely sometime between February and March of 2012.
“We are looking to the students of today to preserve the Chesapeake Bay and the surrounding land,” said Dealer Principle, Peter D’Arista. “We all use and enjoy the Bay for business and pleasure. We need bright young minds to use technology and science to assure that continues.”
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has a long and storied history of supporting agriculture communities in Maryland. It was originally chartered as the Maryland Agriculture College and in 1859 it opened on 420 acres of the Riverdale Plantation purchased from Charles Calvert. From that beginning the College of Agriculture grew into the University of Maryland.
The College of Agriculture today plays an important role in developing agriculture and aquaculture in Maryland. Balancing the urban environment with the earth’s natural resources is the mission of the college. For example, UMD scientists, at Chesapeake Bay Labs on Solomon’s Island and at the Sea Grant program, study methods to re-populate oyster beds in the Chesapeake Bay and to improve aquaculture. Additionally, College of Agriculture scientists are currently conducting a study of the relationship of land use, climate and eco-systems in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to determine how policies affect water sustainability.
To apply for a scholarship, students need only demonstrate that they reside (or have resided prior to attending college) in St. Mary’s or Calvert County, that they attend the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and are studying some aspect of agriculture or aquaculture as it can be applied to the Chesapeake Bay. Scholarships will be awarded based on merit and financial need.
To apply contact:
Tim Lapanne
Scholarship Coordinator
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
0104 Symons Hall
tlapanne(at)umd.edu
301-405-5308
If you would like to make a donation to the Toyota of Southern Maryland Scholarship Fund, make checks payable to the University of Maryland College Park Foundation and send to:
Attn: Director of Development
College of Agriculture and Natural Resouces
1221 Symons Hall
College Park, MD 20742