Fairfax, VA – October 10, 2024 – The Pest Management Foundation has announced the establishment of two new scholarships: The Masters Talents Scholarship, established by Kevin and Kimberly Lemasters, and the Gary D. Curl and Carol Jones-Curl Scholarship, established Gary Curl and Carol Jones-Curl.

About the Masters Talents Scholarship

Kevin and Kimberly Lemasters have seen God impact their lives in amazing ways through this industry over 30 years. Just as they received from the generosity of others, they are giving back through this scholarship. The Masters Talents Scholarship has been established to provide opportunities to those who don't always know where their help will come from. This $2,000 scholarship will be awarded annually.

“The Pest Management industry has changed our lives” - shared Kevin and Kimberly Lemasters. “As a young couple just starting a family while living with her parents, it was an opportunity for better pay and benefits. Leaders like Paul Mages and Brent Boles at Schendel Pest and Marc Dykstra at EnviroPest all impacted my journey in positive ways. I am thankful for the support they provided and their willingness to allow me access to so many others in the industry that I learned from.”

Eligibility Criteria:

• Student graduating from a high school entering college or trade school 
• Full-time student in good academic standing with an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Priority given to applicants with immediate families who are or have been involved in the pest control industry.
• Priority given to applicants who demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in pest management or related industries.
• Financial Need: Only applicants who can demonstrate significant financial need will be considered for this award. Need can be demonstrated through a personal statement explaining the applicant’s financial situation and how the scholarship will assist in achieving their educational goals is required.
• Recipients must commit to writing a letter of appreciation outlining how the scholarship has helped them in their academic endeavors.

About the Gary D. Curl and Carol Jones-Curl Scholarship

Gary Curl and Carol Jones-Curl have established the Gary D. Curl and Carol Jones-Curl Scholarship to support a student pursuing a career in professional pest management. This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a student graduating from high school and entering the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at the University of Delaware or a currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student attending the University of Delaware in the CANR.

“This scholarship is an opportunity for us to give back to the industry that has supported us for more than 45 years. We hope it might make it a little easier for a student to pursue a career in the professional pest management industry. Also, it provides me with an opportunity to support the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources which forged my career in the industry,” said Gary Curl, Founder of Specialty Consultants, LLC.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Student graduating from high school entering the University of Delaware and attending the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, or a currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student attending the University of Delaware attending the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Full time student in good academic standing with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

For more information about the Foundation and its scholarship program, visit NPMAFoundation.org or contact Mike Bentley at mbentley@pestworld.org.

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The Pest Management Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission and purpose is to advance the pest management industry through education, research, and outreach. The Pest Management Foundation is affiliated with the National Pest Management Association, the industry's only national trade group. The Foundation has been in existence for more than 60 years and has funded urban entomology research projects at universities nationwide. For more information, visit www.NPMAFoundation.org.