EARTH University is a private, non-profit university in Costa Rica that prepares young people from Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and other regions to contribute to sustainable development in their home communities. Students are recruited based on their academic and leadership potential, vocation, values, and social and environmental commitment. EARTH graduates return to their home countries with specialized skills in ethical entrepreneurship, a strong commitment to social and environmental justice, and the capacity to generate positive change.
EARTH is truly an international university. Since its inception in 1990, more than 2,500 students from approximately 52 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, North America, and Europe have graduated from EARTH. More than 80% returned to their country of origin and graduated to start new businesses, create jobs, and generate positive social, environmental, and economic impact. Almost one-third of the graduates not only contribute to the economy, but they also serve as community volunteers.
![Students at EARTH's Campus in Costa Rica. Photo Credit: [emailed Victor 1/11/2024]](https://americana.capikcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/EARTH-University-3.jpg "EARTH University 3")
![EARTH students learning in the field. Photo Credit: [emailed Victor 1/11/2024]](https://americana.capikcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/earth_photo_april_2019.jpg "Earth University April 2019")
Supporting the Leaders of Tomorrow
Americana’s Partnership with EARTH
Americana awarded a grant to EARTH in 2002 to provide academic scholarship support to students needing financial assistance. Between 2002 and 2022, Americana awarded more than $430,000 in grants for student scholarships and to support experiential learning on the EARTH campus. In 2007, Americana finalized an Endowed Scholarship Fund (the Marlene (Marty) Fluharty Endowed Scholarship) with a total contribution of $500,000.
EARTH students learn by doing
Americana created an endowed scholarship at EARTH University in March 2007. The endowment was fully funded in August 2019 with total contributions of $500,000 and renamed The Marty Fluharty Scholarship to honor Americana’s long-time Executive Director upon her retirement. Since its inception, the endowment has provided scholarship support for six EARTH students from Guatemala, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. Students supported by Americana scholarship funds now are agricultural consultants, educators, and farm superintendents who provide technical assistance on agricultural sustainability to companies, agricultural producers, local government agencies, and their communities.
Click the image below to read more about the current Americana scholarship student.
