News Release
For Immediate Release — April 27, 2009
UT Agriculture Professor Named to Scholarship Foundation Leadership
Dr. Mark Windham, a Distinguished Professor of Entomology and Plant Pathology at the
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, was recently
named the Executive Vice-President of
the Sidney
B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Dr. Mark Windham, a Distinguished Professor at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, is best known for his work in developing disease resistant dogwood trees. Now, he will be taking on another role in addition to his teaching and research at the Institute.
Dr. Windham was recently named the Executive Vice-President of the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund. In his new role, Dr. Windham will be responsible for a number of areas including fund business, scholarship announcements, application evaluation and scholarship awards.
The fund’s goal is to provide aid to undergraduate and graduate students
from 16 southeastern states that are interested in pursuing a career in
ornamental horticulture. Each scholarship is valued at $2,500 and is
awarded on both academic performance and financial need. Dr. Windham
anticipates awarding scholarships to around 12 students this year.
Dr. Mary Albrecht, Associate Dean for the College of Agricultural Sciences
and Natural Resources (CASNR), feels that Dr. Windham’s leadership role at
the fund is a natural fit. “Dr. Windham’s career has been dedicated to
solving problems for the ornamental horticulture industry. Being named the
Executive Vice President of the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment
Fund by its Board of Directors is confirmation of Dr. Windham’s dedication
to the future of the industry through his efforts in research and
education,” she said.
In the past, Dr. Windham has served on the fund’s judging panel, which identifies both exceptional and qualified students. He says the competition is, “Always intense.”
“The Sidney B. Meadows Scholarships encourage and reward deserving students who are seeking careers in ornamental horticulture. I am honored to be asked to play a leadership role in such a wonderful organization,” said Dr. Windham.
The endowment fund was created in 1989 by the Southern Nursery Association and was named after Sidney B. Meadows, described as one of the industry’s great humanitarians for his support and advocacy of student scholarships.
Dr. Windham is a professor in the Entomology and Plant Pathology department
at UT and holds five plant patents for the dogwood varieties Karen’
Appalachian Blush, Kay’s Appalachian Mist, Jean’s Appalachian Snow,
Appalachian Joy and Missy’s Appalachian Morning. In addition, Dr. Windham holds a utility patent in Cornus florida lines that are resistant to both
dogwood anthracnose and powdery mildew. He holds a Ph.D. from Northern
Carolina State University where he majored in plant pathology with a minor
in plant breeding.
The UT Institute of Agriculture provides teaching, research and outreach through the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension.
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Contact: Doug Edlund, UTIA Marketing & Communications, 865-974-7141