Morsani Scholarships Established for Horticulture, Nursing

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Dorothy Morsani

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Two new scholarships have been established in the name of Dorothy M. Morsani, one each in the horticulture and nursing programs at the University of Arkansas.

The Dorothy M. Morsani Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Horticulture will provide financial assistance to a horticulture major as selected by the head of the department in consultation with Mike Vayda, dean of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

The Dorothy M. Morsani Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing will be given to a student enrolled in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing in the College of Education and Health Professions. A committee formed under the guidance of Tom Smith, dean of the college, will make the selection.

The scholarships are available to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full time with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. More than one scholarship may be offered at a time with each worth at least $500.

Morsani, who passed away Sept. 15, 2013, was born in Anthony, Kan., raised in Elkins and lived in Tontitown.

She worked at Collier Rexall Drug Store and Lichlyter’s Department Store before becoming self-employed as a cake decorator and wedding caterer. She later owned her own floral business, Petals and Spice. After retiring, she focused on her own flowers. Morsani was a member of the Terra Firma, the Garden Club of Rogers, Floralia Arranger’s Guild and Northwest Arkansas District garden clubs.

Morsani became good friends with nurses and gained great respect for them during her many years as a volunteer at Springdale Memorial Hospital, now Northwest Medical Center, and Northwest Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute in Springdale. She also had family members in the nursing profession.

Morsani supplied silk materials to flower shops in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma and enjoyed teaching others about flowers. Family and friends said giving to others was part of her nature.

She hosted annual Christmas parties for her employees, clients and friends and was an incredible cook, her family and friends said. In the past two years, she made floral arrangements for all the patient rooms at Circle of Life Hospice for Valentine’s Day, Easter and Christmas.