Willem G. and Gianna M. Langenberg Endowed Scholarship Fund

History:  REASON FOR GIFT

This gift in is in honor of Andria’s parents Willem G. and Gianna M. Langenberg.

The purpose of this Fund is to provide financial support to assist undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources ("CTAHR") who are pursuing the study of tropical agriculture and the environment and/or graduate students who are pursuing the study of plant pathology. Funds shall be used for costs associated with attendance as well as for research, study-related travel, and professional development.

ABOUT THE DONOR/HONOREE

Willem Gerardus Langenberg, PhD, led a remarkable life, dedicated to family, sustainability, research in plant pathology, and his graduate students and academic colleagues. A lifelong student of nature, his work stemmed from his passions for gardening, creating hybrid varieties of tomatoes and peppers, grafting fruit trees and canning, pickling and drying fruits and vegetables.

Born the fourth of seven children to Dutch parents in Djombang, Indonesia, he developed an interest in plants in his childhood, which served him well during time in concentration camps as a teen during World War II. He was able to share his knowledge of medicinal plants and properties to contribute to his and others’ health and survival during those years. At the end of the War, he moved to the Netherlands and resumed his studies. After 10 years as a pilot with the Royal Dutch Air Force, he emigrated with his young family to California and obtained his undergraduate degree at California State University, Long Beach. Thereafter, he completed a PhD in Plant Pathology at the University of California – Berkeley in 1967.

He wanted to contribute to the understanding and management of food crops and took a position with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, to study and focus on wheat and corn viruses. He was productive and well-respected by students and colleagues, recognized for his ability to clearly explain scientific concepts, and for his welcoming approach and sense of humor, and developed many important lifelong friendships. During his tenure with the USDA, he collaborated on international projects with the University of Bologna, Italy and the University of Tel Aviv, Israel. He retired in 1995, to focus on family and his gardens.

Willem traveled often to Hawaii because he loved the islands, particularly Oahu, and appreciated the plant life, bird species, and island culture. This perpetual fund will provide an annual scholarship award to an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing research in plant pathology and may be renewed for a qualified applicant.

Description:  The purpose of this Fund is to provide financial support to assist undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience ("CTAHR") who are pursuing the study of tropical agriculture and the environment and/or graduate students who are pursuing the study of plant pathology. Funds shall be used for costs associated with attendance (e.g. tuition, books, fees, etc.), as well as for research, study-related travel, and professional development (e.g. conferences, workshops, participation in professional activities, societies, community affairs, etc.).
Level:  Undergraduate
High School:  N/A
Residency:  N/A
GPA:  Demonstrates satisfactory academic merit, as determined by the selection committee.
Enrollment Status:  Full-time or Part-time
Contact Person:  Carol Oshiro
Contact Department:  Academic & Student Affairs Office
Contact Address:  3050 Maile Way, Gilmore 117
Honolulu, HI 96822
Contact Website:  https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/Students/Scholarships
Contact Phone:  (808) 956-8183
Contact Email:  [email protected]
Application Info:  https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/Students/Scholarships
Press Release: 

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