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HGTC Forestry and Wildlife Students Awarded Georgetown Soil & Water Conservation District
Scholarships
Pictured from left: (back row) Mason Eslinger, Flint Dixon, and Carter Murray; (front row): Valarie Sligh and Stephanie Ponton
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) is pleased to announce that five (5) Forestry and Wildlife Management students have been awarded $500 scholarships from the Georgetown Soil & Water Conservation District. The recipients were selected for their academic achievement, community service, and commitment to protecting South Carolina’s natural resources.
Each year, the Georgetown Soil & Water Conservation District awards up to five (5) scholarships to deserving students from Georgetown County who are pursuing degrees in conservation or natural resources. Eligible applicants must be at least second-semester college students, maintain strong grades, and submit an essay on “The Value of This Scholarship to Me.” Scholarship funds are released directly to students upon enrollment verification and must be used within 12 months.
This year’s scholarship recipients are all HGTC students, including Flint Dixon, Mason Eslinger, Carter Murray, Stephanie Ponton, and Valarie Sligh.
HGTC President Dr. Marilyn “Murph” Fore congratulated the students and expressed gratitude for the District’s partnership. “We are incredibly proud of these students for earning this well-deserved recognition,” said Dr. Fore. “Their passion for conservation and stewardship reflects the mission of HGTC and the bright future of our environmental workforce. We deeply appreciate the Georgetown Soil & Water Conservation District for supporting our students and strengthening the pathway to meaningful careers in natural resources.”
HGTC Professor of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Deanna Ruth, said this recognition reflects both the students’ hard work and the value of community partnership. “These students consistently go above and beyond in the classroom, in the field, and in service to our community,” Ruth said. “They are developing the knowledge and skills needed to protect our forests, wildlife, and coastal ecosystems for generations to come. We are grateful to the Georgetown Soil & Water Conservation District for investing in their educational journey and future careers.”
HGTC’s Forestry and Wildlife Management programs provide hands-on, field-based training that prepares graduates for careers in conservation, land and timber management, wildlife biology, environmental consulting, and more. The College’s continued partnerships with regional agencies offer students meaningful opportunities for applied learning and career advancement.
HGTC congratulates these outstanding students and thanks the Georgetown Soil & Water Conservation District for its continued support of conservation-focused education.
For more information about the HGTC Forestry & Wildlife Management Program, please contact Mac Altman, HGTC Assistant Chair & Professor of Forestry & Wildlife Management, at john.altman@hgtc.edu or 843-520-1419.