Goll uses a smoker while tending the hive.
Written by Molli Slavin, “Roads” Scholar
While most of us spent this year’s steamy summer trying to evade the heat, Sam Goll of Fayetteville, AR was appreciative of the sun that kept the flowers blooming, as he needed them to keep his 6-leggged friends happy and productive. Goll is a bee-keeper for pleasure, but plans on turning it into a career in agricultural business through the Dale Bumper’s College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas. Goll said, “I hope one day, after my bachelor’s degree, to study entomology and help to save the diminishing honey bee population… I can’t even begin to touch on how grateful I am for the ‘Roads’ Scholarship of $2,500 that you awarded to me.”
Bees weren’t Goll’s only occupation this summer. When he wasn’t dealing with honey, he was dealing with another treat – snow cones. Interestingly, Goll couldn’t seem to get away from mixing up sugary syrup at either job, taking time away from his bees to work 30-40 hours a week. “When a new bee hive is started in spring, it has to be fed until the flowers, trees and bushes provide enough food for the growing hives. I have to mix up gallons and gallons of sugar water and deliver it to my hives,” explained Goll. “Part of my job [at the snow cone stand] was to once again mix gallons of colorful and sugary fluids for shaved ice.” As if he weren’t busy enough, he also assisted at Westwood Gardens in Springdale on the weekends during the spring and summer. Goll was able to take a break from his “un-BEE-lievably” busy summer to vacation with his family in Yellowstone National Park.
He plans on continuing the tradition of keeping himself busy, even since he has started school this fall. “I am already a member of the U of A’s Entomology Club, but I plan on joining many more clubs and intramural sports to stay involved in Fayetteville’s community. Some clubs and sports I might try to pursue include rugby, ultimate Frisbee, community service and the Agricultural Business Club.” The Arkansas Alumni Association is glad to offer this budding entomological entrepreneur a means to relieve the stress of paying the costs of his education.
“As I have mentioned, I am very excited to be going to the University of Arkansas. Without wonderful and generous alumni like you, that would be much more difficult. Thank you once again for the gift of the ‘Roads’ Scholarship.”
