Gifts and Endowments

Established by the VFIC Industry Partners, Colleagues, Family, and Friends to recognize his success as a research scientist and teacher and to continue his efforts in preparing the best graduate students seeking careers in developing every phase of vegetable, fruit, and other wholesome foods for the healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Pike pursued three major goals:

• Training the next generation of plant breeding scientists
• Developing new varieties of vegetables with optimum levels of health-promoting compounds and
• Pioneering the concept of interdisciplinary research by working toward a common goal, now known as the Foods for Health research program.

His concept and efforts created the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center in 1992. He was also instrumental in the re-establishment of the Department of Horticultural Sciences in 1976.

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Gifts

Members have given gifts to continue research effortswithin the Center.
Gifts have been received from:

A permanent endowment fund was created in 1993 to provide a base for long-term
commitment to research in the Center. The goal is to endow a fund providing
a continuous source of funding for graduate assistantships, postdoctoral fellowships and
other high priority needs.

The following companies have made pledges totaling $320,000:

If you are interested in contributing to these areas please contact the VFIC.