Each year, the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science (HCS) hosts a Spring Soiree to recognize the remarkable achievements of our students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends.
This year Haley Kruest received the 2025 HCS Outstanding Senior Award for demonstrating outstanding contributions in leadership and service outside her academic program. Starting in the fall, Haley will be pursuing her Masters in Dr. Ruchika Kashyap’s Urban & Controlled Environment Pathology Lab at the University of Georgia. Luckily, Haley had a moment to share some highlights and undergrad advice with us...
What got you interested in horticulture?
I’ve been fascinated by plants since I was a little girl — I could never keep my hands out of the dirt! The moment that really sparked my interest in horticulture as a career was during a behind the scenes tour of “Living with the Land” at EPCOT in Disney World in middle school. That tour really opened my eyes to the innovative possibilities within agriculture and the exciting ways we can grow food in a changing world and climate.
What have been some highlights of undergrad for you?
It’s hard to pick just a few because my time at Ohio State was full of highlights! Events like the Back 2 School Bash and the Pi Alpha Xi Poinsettia sales were always a blast. But if I had to choose, I’d say being involved in research was the most meaningful part. Whether I was growing arugula for my research in the Kubota and Cooperstone labs or subculturing fungi in the Hand lab, each experience deepened my knowledge and passion for plant science. Those opportunities really shaped who I am as a scientist.
What were your thoughts on winning the HCS Outstanding senior Award?
I was beyond thrilled and honored to be selected. There are so many of my peers who are just as deserving, so it means a lot to be recognized! I hope sharing my OSU experience encourages future students to consider HCS. It's a department that’s helped me grow in every way (no pun intended!), so I’m excited to see what the next generation of Buckeyes will bring to the field.
Any advice for students considering studying plant science or pursuing plant science related careers?
My biggest advice is just show up. Attend the club meetings, go to office hours, ask questions, and learn what research and extension work is happening around you. Building relationships with professors, staff, and fellow students is invaluable — more than people realize. Of course, grades matter, but people are far more likely to help and support you if they know you and see your genuine interest. What you put in really does come back to you.
Could you tell us a bit more about your anticipated graduate work at the University of Georgia and what you're most looking forward to about this next chapter of your career?
Starting this fall, I’ll be a graduate student in Dr. Ruchika Kashyap’s Urban & Controlled Environment Pathology Lab at the University of Georgia. Since the lab is relatively new, I’ll be working directly with local growers to catalog common plant diseases in Atlanta and surrounding areas. That data will help guide future research to be more targeted and useful for Georgia’s unique growing environments. I’m also excited about the possibility of being a teaching assistant for the entry-level plant pathology course in the spring. It’s going to be an adjustment switching from “Go Bucks!” to “Go Dawgs!” — but I’ll always be a Buckeye at heart!
Eager for more news from our Spring Soiree? You're in luck - check out all the articles here.