The Gemological Institute of America will kick off its annual Richard T. Liddicoat Scholarship Campaign this month. The campaign seeks donors to assist qualified individuals hoping to study at the Institute.

The RTL Scholarship Fund, organized by the GIA Alumni Association, was created to honor Liddicoat’s contributions to gemology and support one of his highest priorities: gemological education.

The RTL Scholarship Fund enables GIA to award two full tuition scholarships each year to students enrolled in the Graduate Gemologist diploma program.

The fund was launched in 2003 and, to date, has granted six full scholarships. Winners are announced at GIA’s annual Industry Awards Presentation in Tucson in February.

To contribute to the RTL Scholarship or to establish a scholarship in the name of an individual, company or professional organization, contact Bev Hayes Berthoty at 800-421-7250 ext. 4120, or at 760-603-4120.

Applications for the 2008 RTL Scholarship and other GIA scholarships are available at the GIA Web site http://www.gia.edu/education/30766/home.cfm and will be accepted June 15 till Oct. 15, 2007.

JCK