Liddicoat Scholarship Fund Campaign Underway
By
Ashley Bailey , Tuesday, July 03, 2007
From
GIA, Carlsbad, Calif. – The Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) fifth annual Richard T. Liddicoat (RTL) Scholarship Fund Campaign is now underway. Contributors to the scholarship campaign, which runs through December, will be helping qualified individuals build their careers in the gem and jewelry industry.
The RTL Scholarship Fund was created by the GIA Alumni Association in 2003 to honor Liddicoat, the Institute’s longtime president and chairman, who is regarded as the “Father of Modern Gemology.”
The RTL Scholarship Fund was created in 2003 as an opportunity for donors to honor Liddicoat and support gemological education. Photo © GIA.
The fund furthers Liddicoat’s personal mission of providing gemological education to worthy students by awarding two full scholarships each year in the GIA Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma program. The winners will be announced at GIA’s Industry Awards Presentation at the Tucson trade shows in February 2008.
To date, the RTL Scholarship Fund has granted eight full scholarships. This year’s recipients, Dixie M. Louviere of New Orleans and Victoria Pulla-Corella of New York, were awarded scholarships for the On Campus and Distance Education programs, respectively.
“I am honored to be the recipient of such a prestigious scholarship,” said Pulla-Corella. “Thanks to GIA and Mr. Liddicoat’s legacy, my dream to design and market jewelry that’s on par with some of the industry’s most well-known companies is taking its first step toward becoming a reality.”
To contribute to the RTL Scholarship Fund or to establish a GIA scholarship in the name of an individual, company, or professional organization, contact Bev Berthoty, GIA manager of Institute Relations at 800-421-7250, ext. 4120.
Applications for the 2008 RTL Scholarships are available by on the GIA website at www.gia.edu and will be accepted until Oct. 15, 2007. Many additional GIA scholarship applications are available and can also be found on the GIA website in the education section.
An independent nonprofit organization, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is recognized as the world's foremost authority in gemology. Established in 1931, GIA has translated its expert knowledge into the most respected gemological education available. In 1953, the Institute created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world. Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. GIA can be found on the web at http://www.gia.edu/. Media queries contact: Laura Simanton 760-603-4112.