Historic, archived document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. Animal and Plant Health bpspection a NS ~~ , aa Fe ™ SRP gpa sess ee et = United States ~ Departmentof " Agriculture Miscellaneous Publication No. 1531 William F. Helms in Brief _ After graduating from Auburn Univer- sity, Bill Helms joined APHIS in 1958 | and worked for PPQ in field offices in Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas. He was assigned to headquarters in 1980 as the associate deputy administrator for PPQ and was subsequently promoted in 1986 to be deputy administrator, the highest ranking position in his division and the position he retained until his untimely death in 1990. Bill was an active proponent for change and management improvement. He also looked for better ways of doing business. Through many organizational changes, he never lost sight of the people element and the worth of the organization’s most valuable asset, its people. An example of | his feelings is reflected in a comment made after a major reorganization in the late 1980's: “There’s been some skepti- cism about the reorganization—many people are resistant to change no matter what. But I believe that it doesn’t make any difference how many boxes you have on the chart, how many people you have, how many interrelationships—if you have good, dedicated people, you’re going to get results. I think that’s why APHIS has succeeded over the years.” The William F. Helms Student Scholar- ship Program continues the legacy Bill worked hard to establish and is further evidence of the agency’s continuing commitment to support and hire the best and brightest young people with an interest in the mission of PPQ. What is PPO}. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is the agency responsible for protecting America’s agriculture base—in essence, its food and fiber—from exotic plant pests and animal diseases. Plant Pro- tection and Quarantine (PPQ) is the program within APHIS that deals with plant health issues. PPQ employees not only keep destructive exotic plant pests out of the United States but also work to control the infestations of such common pests as grasshoppers, boll weevils, and gypsy moths. PPQ employees monitor the distribution of pests in the United States through an extensive surveil- lance network and conduct integrated pest management programs on designated pests in cooperation with State and other Federal agencies and private farmers and ranchers. PPQ monitors passengers arriving from out- side the United States at airports, seaports, and border crossings to assure that no prohib- ited agricultural items are brought into the country. Air, truck, and maritime cargoes are inspected for potential pests and diseases in imported fruits and vegetables, and PPQ cer- tifies that U.S. agricultural exports are free of pests and diseases. This certification facili- tates trade with foreign countries. PPQ is offering scholarships and career exploration opportunities to academically qualified students who are enrolled in college-level programs related to agriculture or the biological sciences. Sophomores and juniors attending an accredited college or university are eligible to apply. These stu- dents can receive up to $5,000 in financial assistance each year they are enrolled in a degree program. Students must maintain at least a 2.5 grade-point average. Here are the details. What Does the William F. Helms Scholarship Program Offer Youg @ ‘financial aid while pursuing a degree, # (\utoring assistance, Mentoring, @ aid work experience during vacation periods, @ Career exploration, and @ ossible employment upon graduation. What Kind of Career Opportunities Does PPQ Offer? William F. Helms Scholarship recipients can look forward to work experiences in career areas such as FT Biology f Piant Pathology 7 Entomology DT Vitology w Bacteriology @ Mycology w Ecology PPQ will offer scholarship recipients employment during school vacations. PPQ anticipates offering full-time professional employment to Helms scholars who suc- cessfully complete the necessary education, training, and work requirements. How To Apply Qualifications Students interested in the William F. Helms Scholarship should apply directly to USDA/ APHIS (check the back of this leaflet for our address). You must be a US. citizen to apply. Your application must contain the following items: a Apersonal letter that — Describes your interests, goals, and chosen career plans. — Explains how you envision your ability will contribute to the PPQ mission. — Outlines why you should be selected for this program over other candidates. — Lists a permanent address where you can be contacted all year. fZ itanscripts of your college work to date. fT Vihree letters of recommendation (from people not related to you). ~ Deadline for Nominations Is March 1 PPQ will aoete nominations for consider on t 1 lof ea each year scholars Benefits at the start of the fall : _ oe a The U.S. Departure of Agriculture (USDA}~ =e rohibits discrimination in its programs on the of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or ee {Not all prohibited bases apply to ali s.) Persons with disabilities 2s who. éommunication of ' shoe, etc. art “EARGET Center at (202 TDD). ~ = ~ ——— fa we , ee To file a complaint, write the Sé of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture anges Washington, DC 20250, or call (800) 245-6340™, (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD)PUSDA isan 9 ™ equal employment-opportunity employer. wm Issued April 1996 = Slightly revised January 1998 ~~ 4