Marian Hollenbeck SEBS’26.
Marian Hollenbeck, a graduating senior in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), has been named a recipient of the 2026 Fred Winter Memorial Award for Excellence in Horticulture, presented by the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture (PSPA). The $3,000 scholarship will be awarded at the organization’s annual meeting in April.
A plant science major on the plant agriculture and horticulture track, with a minor in environmental and business economics, Hollenbeck has distinguished herself through academic achievement and hands-on experiences. Hollenbeck has maintained a 3.90 GPA and has earned multiple scholarships during her time at SEBS. She’s engaged in multiple internship experiences that reflect both the breadth and depth of her horticultural training, spanning hydroponic production, plant pest and disease identification and garden management.
Rutgers Enactus chapter members Marian Hollenbeck, SEBS’26, and Raadha Garg, School of Engineering, at the Enactus National Exposition in Kansas City.
Beyond the classroom, Hollenbeck has been actively involved in extracurricular activities aligned with her academic interests, further strengthening her foundation in plant science and agricultural systems. She was a presenter on a team of students in the Rutgers Enactus chapter that won second place in Spring 2025 for its innovative answer to food insecurity on campus and in the community in a national competition among other Enactus chapters for its flourishing social venture in hydroponic farming. Enactus’s Agoraponic Farm grows vegetables without soil, effectively reducing the water consumption and environmental impact resulting from traditional agriculture, and has provided fresh lettuce on three campus locations.
In addition, Hollenbeck developed the design and planting of the forage garden at Harvest Cafe on the George H. Cook Campus as well as managed its hydroponic system.
“I want to be at the crossover between traditional farming, plant science, business, modern technology, and environmental sustainability,” Hollenbeck said. “I am a strong believer that thinking about our food and where it comes from encourages people to make better decisions for their own health and the health of our planet.”
The Fred Winter Memorial Award recognizes outstanding undergraduate students who intend to pursue careers in horticulture or related fields, including landscape architecture and environmental sciences. The award honors the legacy of Dr. Fred Winter, a longtime PSPA member and Pottstown-area farmer known for cultivating more than 200 rhododendron plants, including several varieties he bred and developed.
For Hollenbeck, the award affirms her commitment to advancing horticulture through innovation and sustainability—an approach that reflects the land-grant mission of Rutgers and positions her to contribute meaningfully to the future of food and environmental stewardship.
