Garden Club Raises Funds for Landscape Architecture Students

The Peachtree Garden Club has helped raise funds for landscape architecture students in the College of Environment and Design.

In the mid-20th century, Hubert Bond Owens became an avid supporter of the Peachtree Garden Club. As founder of UGA's landscape architecture program, Owens played an integral role in helping Peachtree Garden Club members establish the Neel Reid Scholarship, which was created in 1946.

The scholarship fund was intended to “spread beauty, and garden wisdom near and far” and was created in memory of Neel Reid, a well-known Atlanta architect who designed homes and gardens for Peachtree members.

The original scholarship fund was established with $7,000 in gifts donated mostly by Peachtree members, friends and former clients of Reid. Over the years, the Neel Reid Scholarship has supported travel fellowships, research awards, lecture funds and graduate assistantships.

Over the past 60 years, Neel Reid Scholarships have surpassed $800,000 and have provided opportunities for over 200 students. Today, the scholarship fund is considered one of the CED’s more competitive and prestigious awards.

For 73 years, members of the Peachtree Garden Club scholarship committee have remained actively involved with the CED. One member reflects on the selection process of scholarship recipients as “one of the most important things I have done in my life.”

Peachtree members understand that the scholarship awards can be life changing, with some awards totaling over $10,000 per student. Neel Reid Scholars use the funds to offset tuition, living expenses and pursue study abroad opportunities.

Each year, Peachtree members invite Neel Reid Scholars to attend a luncheon in Atlanta, where scholarship recipients make brief presentations on the importance of their award.

The scholarship has proven invaluable to their education and career, former Neel Reid Scholars said.