Horticulture really touches the hearts and souls of many. Graduation is always my favorite day. Seeing my students cross the stage and on their way to making their dream come true. Career story

Plants sustain and improve our environment and our economy. They contribute and enhance our lives in so many ways; nutritionally, aesthetically, and appeal to our senses in tremendous ways. Career story

Working with plants and watching things grow is something people are supposed to do. I enjoy giving students the hands-on-experience needed to succeed in the landscaping or garden center industry. Teaching the students is a very rewarding experience. Career story

Besides receiving an excellent education, my graduate studies opened many doors for me. The faculty introduced me to many of the industry leaders of the time. Over the years, many of the students who were there when I was, became the industry leaders of today. Career story

I think that the most rewarding experiences in my career have been the individual mentoring of students. The impact we have on others through teaching and stimulating learning is our most important legacy. Career story

The amount of technical knowledge needed by today's turf managers has greatly increased over the years. There is also a greater emphasis on developing management skills. Get as much experience as you can during internships. Career story

One of the most rewarding experiences is watching students I have taught and advised go through OSU's commencement. There are innumerable possibilities in the plant sciences, but to succeed one must never stop exploring the plant world. Career story

Study an area you have a passion for. Earning a degree, especially a graduate degree, is a lot of work and it makes all the difference in the world to be fired up about your subject area. If you're not excited about your subject area, then leave that field. Career story

Each time a student compliments me on instruction or tells me that she is learning a lot in my class, it is a rewarding experience. Each time an alumnus tells me that I made a difference in his career, it is a rewarding experience. Career story