James Martin Associates' Scholarship Programs: Our History of Cultivating New Professionals

Did you know, that over 60% of students cite financial constraints as their biggest barrier in pursuing a higher education? Scholarship programs not only alleviate this burden but also open doors to countless opportunities, empowering deserving individuals to achieve their academic dreams.

At James Martin Associates, we are committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. As a leading snow and landscape service provider in the Chicagoland area, we are proud to drive scholarship initiatives to encourage students to pursue careers in the landscape industry. 

Our support extends to local high schools, regional and national colleges and universities, and industry state and national associations that educate and inspire the next generation of landscape professionals.  In this blog, we will cover our history of awarded scholarships throughout the years.

The Shari Dalziel Scholarship:

The Shari Dalziel Scholarship is designed to support the backbone of our company—our team that drives our success. The Shari Dalziel Scholarship is named in honor of our former employee who dedicated 25 years at James Martin Associates. We extend our gratitude by awarding scholarships to our employees' children at our Mundelein facility, regardless of their chosen field of study.

Since its inception in 2017, we have empowered our employees deserving students to pursue their educational goals, regardless of their chosen field of study by awarding 16 scholarships throughout the years. 

The James Martin Associates Scholarship - Supporting Local High School Students

At our company, we deeply value education and community involvement. Through the James Martin Associates Scholarship, we award Mundelein and Vernon Hills High School students interested in pursuing studies in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Landscape Design, Environmental Studies, or related fields. 

Since 2007, we have proudly granted more than 14 scholarships to students from Mundelein and Vernon Hills High School. We believe investing in education is an investment in the future of our community.

James Martin Associates & Martin Family Scholarship - Awarded Through The NALP

As a long-standing member of The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), James Martin Associates is committed to promoting the growth of landscape industry collegiate students through sponsoring scholarships at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC), organized by NALP. 

Through this initiative, we have awarded 13 scholarships to students who have showcased their skills and knowledge at NCLC’s largest competition and career fair in the landscaping industry since 2002.

James Martin Family Scholarship - Awarded Through the ILCA

Similarly, we recognize the importance of promoting the growth of the landscape industry by sponsoring scholarships to Illinois Landscape Contractors Associates through the Illinois Landscape Charitable and Educational Organization. We have been a proud advocate of this industry association since 1999 and have awarded 22 scholarships to Illinois college and high school students interested in pursuing a green industry or related career path.

If you want to learn more about eligibility and the application process of the ILCA-ILCECO visit their website here.

James Martin Family Foundation - Benefiting the University of Illinois' Students

Our President of the company, Jim Martin is a proud graduate from the University of Illinois. After 35 years of supporting the University of Illinois Foundation, Jim Martin established an endowed scholarship for students in the landscape architecture department. 

By enhancing students' knowledge through internships and initiating a scholarship that further supports the development of future landscape architects, the James Martin Family Foundation Scholarship is set to assist students that will shape our outdoor environments and green spaces of the future.

James Martin Associates Employee Recognition Scholarship

At James Martin Associates, we highly value our long-serving employees. As part of our strong dedication to education, we proudly offer the James Martin Associates Employee Recognition Scholarship. This unique scholarship program enables our employees to support their alma mater, reflecting our company's commitment to education at all levels.

We firmly believe that the hard work and dedication shown by our team members deserve acknowledgment and gratitude. Through the scholarship, we honor their contributions and pay them forward to the institutions that influenced their academic journeys.

Over the years, we have had the honor of granting 12 scholarships to our employees' alma maters. Most recently, we awarded the Andrew Holler Scholarship to an exceptional employee in our Colorado office. This employee was able to contribute to the University of Colorado which shaped his education and career.

In conclusion, our commitment to education and community enrichment is reflected through our scholarship programs that foster individuals' academic and professional growth. By nurturing future leaders in the landscape and horticulture industry we take pride in helping each student achieve their highest potential. We believe that investing in education and supporting the next generation of professionals is crucial for the future of the industry, and we are honored to play a small part in this important work.

If you are interested in learning more about our scholarship and internship programs at James Martin Associates visit our website here.