By Diana Nagler

In order for most professions to grow and prosper, a constant influx of talent is needed to regenerate the industry. With this in mind, the California Landscape Architectural Student Scholarship (CLASS) Fund was developed to assist financially needy students. "Our goal is to provide student scholarships, work internship programs, and open space grants," said current Chair John Hourian, Hourian Associates, Dana Point, California. To date, the non-profit organization has generated approximately $740,000 through its fundraising efforts.

The group was founded in 1980 by Hourian, Jim Hogan of HRP Landscape, Santa Ana, California, and Keith French of Nuvis, San Ramone, California. Their goal was to unite people in the green industry for the purpose of assisting a new generation of landscape professionals. Some of the main sponsors of CLASS Fund have included Rain Bird, Toro Irrigation, Orange County Nursery, California Landscape Irrigation Council, Sullivan Concrete, Valley Crest, Parkwest Landscape, Environmental Industries, Normans Nursery, and the Ralph Hudson Fellowship.

The organization is comprised of approximately 100 members including Landscape Architects, Horticultural Consultants, Irrigation Design Consultants, Landscape Contractors, and Suppliers. "Many of us have donated countless hours over the years, while others have donated a great deal of money through their corporations," said Hourian. This year's board members include John Hourian, Hourian Associates; Robert Cordoza, Nuvis; Leslee Temple, Nuvis; Robert Sawyer, Land Concern, Ltd.; Francis Sullivan, Sullivan Concrete Textures; Andy Bowden, Land Concern, Ltd., Marty McPhee, Park West Landscape, Inc.; Klaus Ahlers, Environmental Golf; James Hogan, HRP Landesign; William Cathcart, Cathcart/Begin Associates, Inc.

In support of the CLASS Fund organization, the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) sends out annual announcements to various institutions in order to solicit prospective fund beneficiaries. Past recipients have included students from area universities such as California Polytech University at Pomona, California Polytech University at San Luis Obisbo, the University of California at Davis, University of California at Los Angeles, and the University of California at Berkeley. The awards are given to students in financial need who show promise and a commitment to the profession. A maximum of 21 awards are given per year in amounts ranging from $500 to $2,000. The fund grows approximately $25,000 per year and is projected to reach $1 million within the next 5 years.

"The green industry needs to help itself by bringing in the most qualified people to the profession," said Board Member Andy Bowden. "We don't have enough skilled personnel for the amount of work that's out there. What's great about CLASS Fund is that it gives established professionals the opportunity to encourage and promote excellence for future Landscape Architects." LASN

CLASS Fund coordinates four functions per year in an effort to raise money for students. Some recent events included a Cinco De Mayo celebration held last May at GroWest Nurseries (see photograph at left) in Brea, California, and the annual Christmas Gala (see photographs at left) held last year in Newport Beach, California.