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On Thursday, November 14, the Fred J. Taylor Library and Technology Center at the University of Arkansas at Monticello hosted a reception to celebrate a large donation of botanical literature and the establishment of a new scholarship in honor of the late Dr. James L. Zarucchi, a distinguished botanist. The event recognized Dr. Zarucchi's contributions to botany and highlighted the expanded resources now available for research and education at the university.

At the event, Olivia Caraway, a senior at UAM majoring in natural resources management with a wildlife management and conservation option, was named the first recipient of the James L. Zarucchi Scholarship in Botany. The scholarship was established by Dr. Jeanne Zarucchi, in memory of her late husband, to support UAM students pursuing studies in plant sciences.

The James L. Zarucchi Botanical Library, which forms the cornerstone of this new scholarship, contains over 1,500 books, monographs, article reprints and maps that explore the scientific, economic and cultural aspects of plants from around the world. This extensive collection, transported to UAM through the efforts of Dr. Richard Abbott, assistant professor of biology and director of the UAM Sundell Herbarium, establishes the university as the premier botanical research library in Arkansas.

Dr. Zarucchi, born in Eureka, California, was the first in his working-class family to attend college, financing his studies by driving a water truck. He earned a scholarship to Harvard and later joined a field exploration team in South America. His distinguished career included serving as the Anne Lehmann Curator of North American Botany at the Missouri Botanical Garden, where he became known for his editorial work on the Flora of North America, a multi-volume series published by Oxford University Press. After his passing in 2019, his wife sought a suitable home for his extensive collection, which now enhances UAM’s botanical resources.

Dan Boice, director of Library at UAM, celebrated the collaboration that made this gift possible, stating, "We have received many donations over the years from wonderful friends, but this is the most spectacular gift we have received during my tenure here. The generosity of Dr. Jeanne Zarucchi and the tireless efforts of Dr. Abbott to secure and transport this remarkable collection are truly inspiring. This gift will serve as an invaluable resource for plant scientists and will solidify UAM’s place as a hub for advanced botanical research and study."

For more information about the botanical donation or new scholarship, contact Dan Boice at boice@uamont.edu or 870-460-1480.