CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association (WVNLA) has awarded $20,000 in scholarships to four West Virginia University (WVU) students studying landscape architecture through the Marcus W. Rennix Scholarship Program.
Each recipient will receive $5,000 to support their academic and professional development.
The WVNLA Board of Directors approved the awards during its October 22 meeting. The recipients will be recognized at the association’s annual Winter Symposium, scheduled for February 18, 2026, in Charleston.
“We hope these Mountain State scholars will remain in West Virginia and continue to grow our thriving industry,” said WVNLA President Robert Gompers, owner of Highland Landscaping in Buckhannon.
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
- Sophia Folwell of Williamstown, a senior majoring in Landscape Architecture with a minor in Sustainable Design. She recently completed an internship with licensed landscape architect Scott Getz in Charlotte, N.C.
- Reagan Rowland of Charles Town, a senior studying Landscape Architecture.
- Joshua Cross of Summit Point, a senior majoring in Landscape Architecture who has worked several summers with Reading Landscapes in Winchester, Va.
- Cameron Mahar of Charles Town, a junior double-majoring in Landscape Architecture and Environmental and Community Planning. Her experience includes restoration work on Bathtub Gully in Morgantown and planning along the Elk River Trail corridor in Braxton County.
WVNLA Executive Director Julie Robinson said the association gives priority to West Virginia residents studying horticulture, landscape architecture, or nursery and greenhouse management.
Eligible students must have completed at least half of their required coursework in these fields and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Applications for the Marcus W. Rennix Scholarship are accepted year-round through the WVNLA website.
More information and registration details for the upcoming Winter Symposium can be found here.
