Brady Farlow knew about the impact of scholarships before he even came to NC State. A scholarship afforded him the trip of a lifetime \u2014 a monthlong adventure in Spain the summer after high school. This experience made Farlow a big advocate for both study abroad and scholarships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou have to take advantage of the opportunities around you,\u201d he said. One glance at Farlow\u2019s NC State resume confirms that he has taken that advice seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Farlow, a second-year horticulture and Spanish double major with a focus on plant breeding and biotechnology, is active on campus and the recipient of two highly sought-after scholarships, the Thomas Jefferson Scholarship and the Dr. Caroline Laundon Family Extraordinary Opportunity Scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only 10 to 15 incoming students are chosen each year for the Thomas Jefferson Scholarship, which supports hardworking scholars planning to double major between the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, Farlow is one of more than 140 students to receive a scholarship through NC State\u2019s Extraordinary Opportunity Scholarship Initiative since it was announced in spring 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Farlow has known for a while that he wanted to work with plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was little, I used to help my grandma plant flowers, like those big, bright, yellow smiling pansies with the generous black blotch in the middle. Then, I didn\u2019t think about plants for a long time,\u201d said Farlow, who grew up in Wallburg, a small town outside of High Point. \u201cBut in my freshman year of high school, they offered horticulture classes. I didn\u2019t even know what that word meant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After figuring out what the class was about, Farlow decided to enroll. Horticulture quickly became a passion. His school had a greenhouse and even allowed the class to beautify their campus grounds with their favorite plants, including some grown from seeds purchased with grants he helped write. Farlow\u2019s teacher had received a degree through NC State\u2019s Agricultural Institute and urged Farlow to go to the same university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe told me, \u2018You have to go there. That\u2019s where all the people go who are just as crazy about plants as you,\u2019\u201d Farlow said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With extended family who were also NC State graduates, the tally marks in the university\u2019s favor started adding up. When Farlow saw how much plant research was being done, he knew NC State would probably be the right choice for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was already considering a Spanish minor and he saw a fitting opportunity in the Thomas Jefferson Scholars program to turn that minor into a second major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although he didn\u2019t get to tour campus before he started school because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Farlow says NC State has been the perfect fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The professors in his programs are passionate, supportive and knowledgeable, he said. The professor for his ornamental plant identification course, Brian Jackson, is the first to come to mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt feels like you\u2019re talking to an open book. [Jackson] is so enthusiastic about plants, and excited to help and teach you,\u201d said Farlow. \u201cI want to be that way for whatever I end up doing. I want to give people of all language backgrounds the opportunity to enjoy plants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think I want to do plant breeding, whether it\u2019s with ornamental or flowering plants. I\u2019ve also been thinking recently about grape breeding abroad, especially with my Spanish background,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He adds that while he would love to live abroad, he also knows Spanish is a useful skill in the United States. \u201cI would love to help bridge the gap between Spanish and English speakers, specifically in the plant world here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since starting his NC State career, Farlow has found that while university enrollment is high, the campus community feels small and closely interconnected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNew students have the opportunity of a big campus with plenty of small places for you to fit into. Don\u2019t hesitate to do activities that interest you,\u201d Farlow recommended. \u201cAt the end of the day, it\u2019ll be time well spent: You either meet someone or learn something new.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Farlow takes advantage of his proximity to everything across the university, especially while he lives on campus. He\u2019s a dedicated member of the Horticulture Club, in addition to serving as an officer for VOLAR<\/a> and a representative for the CALS Agri-Life Council. He also has been part of the Spanish Club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With so many opportunities all around, Farlow has had to develop the valuable skill of time management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI had to kind of learn how to learn. College is very different from high school, and especially having to go between Spanish and the plant sciences, I\u2019ve had to learn how to balance my educational and social needs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nScholarships Allow for Passion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n