May 31 deadline set for applications
The Marie Selby Gardens staff announced this week that it is partnering with the Toulmin Foundation to continue the Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship program for the 2025-2026 academic year.
“The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation envisions a world in which all people have opportunity to fulfill their potential and succeed in life,” a news release explains. “The Foundation reflects the legacy of its namesake, the late Sarasota-area philanthropist who made a lasting impact on numerous entities and charitable endeavors.”
The release adds, “The scholarship will provide a pathway for successful leadership in the business and nonprofit world by providing mentorship, opportunities to observe leadership in action, and financial support to high-achieving juniors or seniors pursuing bachelor’s degrees in the greater Sarasota region and holding a minimum GPA of 3.5.”
Additionally, the release points out, “[T]he scholarship will be awarded in honor [of] and partnership with a local leader in the Sarasota community,” a distinction that has been bestowed upon Selby Gardens’ President and CEO Jennifer O. Rominiecki, “who served as the scholarship’s inaugural mentor during the 2024 award cycle.”
Last year, the release notes, the recipient of the Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship was Zuleima Martinez of Sarasota, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communications at the University of South Florida.
“Supporting the growth of future leaders through mentorship is essential,” Rominiecki said in the release.
“The scholarship will be managed by Selby Gardens with an award amount of $15,000” for the 2025-26 academic year, the release explains.
The application deadline is May 31, the release points out.
Finalist interviews are planned in June, in continues, with the winner’s notification scheduled on July 1.
To apply for the Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship, the release notes, visit www.selby.org.
“Through Virginia’s enduring legacy, we invest in causes that she — and we — believe in and most importantly trust in,” said lead Toulmin Trustee William S. Villafranco in the release. “Selby Gardens is one of those causes.”
The recipient of the 2025-26 scholarship will have the opportunity to engage in four mentoring sessions with Rominiecki, and other members of her leadership team, the release points out. The individual also will be appointed to Selby Gardens’ Advisory Committee, “to observe Rominiecki in action,” and participate in activities with local community, scientific and business leaders. Further, the individual will receive a one-year membership to Selby Gardens.