The Gemological Institute of America’s campaign for the Sixth Annual Richard T. Liddicoat Scholarship Fund campaign is now underway.

The scholarship donation campaign runs in the spring and again in the fall as a way for anyone in the gem and jewelry trade to help qualified individuals attain a high-quality gemological education and build their careers in the industry.

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 furthers Liddicoat’s personal mission of providing gemological education to worthy and gifted students by awarding two full scholarships each year in the GIA Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma program. The two winners are announced annually at GIA’s Alumni Dinner Dance and Auction at the Tucson trade show in February.

“An RTL Scholarship is one of the highest honors GIA offers, not only because it was named for Liddicoat, but because it allows anyone in the gem and jewelry industry to contribute to the education of future generations of jewelers,” said Bev Berthoty, GIA manager of Institute Relations. “More than 440 individual donors have contributed to this scholarship program since it was created.”

To date, the RTL Scholarship Fund has received more than $102,000 in donations and has granted 10 full scholarships.

To contribute to the RTL Scholarship Fund or to establish a GIA scholarship in the name of an individual, company, or professional organization, contact Bev Berthoty, GIA manager of Institute Relations at 800-421-7250, ext. 4120.

People interested in applying for the 2009 RTL Scholarships should check the GIA Web site in the Education section. Applications for the 2009 RTL scholarships will be accepted from June 15 through Oct. 15.

JCK