GIA Awards 2009 Richard T. Liddicoat Scholarships

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Feb. 11, 2009 – The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced its 2009 Richard T. Liddicoat (RTL) Scholarship recipients, Katie Kruger of Clearwater, Minn., and Jeremy Small of Indianapolis, Ind. The awards were disclosed at the GIA Alumni Association auction and dance party held at the Tucson trade shows on Feb. 6.

The RTL Scholarship Fund was created by the GIA Alumni Association in 2003 to honor Liddicoat, the Institute’s longtime president and chairman, who is regarded as the “Father of Modern Gemology.” The fund supports GIA’s and Liddicoat’s mission of providing gemological education to worthy students in need by awarding full scholarships each year in the GIA Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma program.

I was ecstatic to learn that I won the scholarship,” said Katie Kruger. “With the economy today, finances are extra tight. This scholarship is a tremendous support to me to further my gemological education. I am so very grateful.”

Kruger plans to obtain her G.G. through Distance Education while she continues to work at a jewelry store.

The second RTL Scholarship recipient Jeremy Small currently works at a watch and jewelry store and will transfer to Carlsbad, Calif., to pursue his G.G. on campus.

“This is a wonderful opportunity that will help me to achieve my goals in the gem and jewelry field,” said Small. “I firmly believe a GIA education will give me the knowledge and skills to fully meet my goal of becoming a jewelry designer.”

For more information about the RTL Scholarship or other GIA scholarships, call (760) 603-4175 or e-mail financialaid@gia.edu. Beginning June 15, applications for scholarships can be downloaded on GIA’s Web site.

For more information about making a donation in the name of a scholarship, contact Bev Berthoty, manager of Institute Relations at (760) 603-4120.