Garden Club Sows Scholarship for Bergen Student

On January 26, the Ramsey Area Garden Club (RAGC) awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Bergen Community College horticulture student Anthony Rodin, 25, of New Milford. Three members of the RAGC - Emily Rennie (chair of the awards committee), Mary Bergonzi and Virginia Moritz - presented Rodin with the scholarship at a recognition ceremony held at the College. Professor Steven Fischer, head of Bergen's Department of Horticulture, also attended the ceremony.
A short time ago, Bergonzi, of the RAGC, contacted Fischer and told him the group was interested in presenting a Bergen student with a scholarship. Without hesitation, Fischer recommended Rodin - a ringing endorsement given the caliber of student in the popular program, which is celebrating its 30th year at the College.

"They say 85 percent of students don't eventually end up working in their major or field of study," Fischer said. "Anthony is definitely going to be part of the other 15 percent - he will work in horticulture. He looks at problems from different angles and he knows that the solution might not be the first one you come up with."

Scholarship in hand, Rodin plans to continue working toward his A.A.S. in horticulture at Bergen and may transfer to Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. A nature-lover who also enjoys working with computers, Rodin said horticulture, plants and the environment figure prominently into his future.

"I'm still young in my education," Rodin said. "But I do know I want to be involved with plants. I want to be a positive icon contributing to a healthy environment." Reflecting on his time at Bergen, Rodin said the College has helped him develop a sense of self.
"I came to Bergen looking to break into the college experience," he said. "What I found were kind-hearted professors who have enabled me to further myself. I have become aware of who I am and now this (scholarship) is the first of many trophies to come."

Founded in 1982, the RAGC participates in civic beautification projects and works to conserve natural resources in the Ramsey area. The group's four dozen members run a yearly plant sale - around Mother's Day - to help offset costs and also to present students with scholarships and stipends. 

Photo Caption: (From left to right): Bergen professor Steven Fischer, Ramsey Area Garden Club (RAGC) member Mary Bergonzi, Bergen student Anthony Rodin and RAGC members Emily Rennie and Virginia Mortiz.

About Bergen Community College
Bergen Community College is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling more than 15,000 students in Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degree programs, and certificate programs. More than 10,000 students are enrolled in non-credit, professional courses through the Division of Continuing Education, the Institute for Learning in Retirement, and the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center, located at 355 Main Street, Hackensack. Information about the College is available at http://www.bergen.edu or by phoning the Welcome Center at 201-447-7200.