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Industry News: GIA, AGS Launch Joint Scholarship; Plumb Club Offers Webinar About Selling To Women July 31, 2019 (0 comments)
GIA and AGS Establish Scholarship in Honor of Beatrice Shipley
Carlsbad, CA—In recognition of the important contributions of Beatrice Shipley (lefT) to both GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and AGS (American Gem Society), the sister organizations have created a scholarship in her honor. The Beatrice Shipley Scholarship provides the tuition for one AGS member to undertake the GIA Graduate Gemologist program on-campus, funded by a grant from the GIA Endowment Fund, and the AGS Way Course.
Beatrice Shipley was the wife of Robert Shipley, who founded both GIA and AGS. She was an excellent businesswoman at a time when there were few women in business. The former church administrator, school dean and art gallery owner provided the emotional, financial, and managerial support to fulfill the vision she and her husband shared for the two organizations. Both GIA and AGS were founded in the 1930s when the Shipleys cashed in their savings to create two organizations with the goal of educating jewelers and professionalizing the industry and creating a guild for these jewelers to join. (Learn more about her many contributions here.)
“We are delighted that our two organizations, with our shared missions of protecting consumers and ensuring their trust in gems and jewelry, continue to work closely together to provide education for the next generation of jewelry professionals,” said Susan Jacques, GIA president and CEO. “Neither AGS nor GIA would exist today if it were not for Beatrice Shipley’s contribution to our founding and success.”
“Being able to honor Beatrice Shipley, and the representation of the relationship between the AGS and GIA in working together to complement one another, is significant and meaningful for us,” said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories.
AGS will administer the application process and award the scholarship. Eligible recipients must be AGS members and meet certain requirements. AGS members interested in the awards may contact AGS at (702) 255-6500 ext. 1020; email AGSeducation@ags.org.
Separately, GIA is offering $2 million in scholarships for aspiring or current gem and jewelry professionals interested in gemology, jewelry manufacturing arts, distance education courses and lab classes in 2020. The scholarships are available for on-campus and distance education programs, and are open to U.S. and international prospective students. Applications will be accepted Aug. 1 through Sept. 30, 2019. The scholarships are made available by the GIA Endowment Fund and private donors.
“Scholarships are an important part of our mission to ensure the public trust in gems and jewelry, and our goal of educating the next generation of industry professionals,” said Duncan Pay, GIA vice president and chief academic officer. “Through our professional credentials, career services and alumni network, GIA graduates are positioned for success.”
Applications for 2020 scholarships are available at GIA.edu/scholarships. For details on eligibility, how to apply and required documents, click here or call (+1 760) 603-4131 or email scholarship@gia.edu.
Plumb Club To Offer Live Webinar On Selling To Women
New York, NY—The Plumb Club will offer a free webinar focusing on marketing and sales strategies to reach female consumers. Topics will include what jewelers need to understand about women as consumers and purchase influencers, how they should be marketing and communicating with women, how women buy jewelry, and more. Presenters include Stephanie Holland, founder and author of She-conomy and an expert on marketing to women; and Andrea Hill, owner of Hill Management Group LLC and expert in small and mid-sized businesses.
Stephanie Holland, left, and Andrea Hill, right.
The webinar will be held August 6, from 2:00 to 2:45 p.m. Eastern time. Click here for more information or to register.