2010 OFA Scholars
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Thomas Baker
Clemson University
Thomas Baker’s part-time grass cutting job turned into a full-time obsession and lead him to pursue a degree at Clemson University. He is in his senior year and has focused his studies and experiences on greenhouse production, even completing an internship with Skagit Gardens. Thomas is involved with the Clemson jazz combo and horticulture club, and has competed in several events at PLANET’s Student Career Days. He recently completed and presented a creative inquiry project entitled "Landscape Design of a Vertical Plane: The Clemson University Green Wall Project" at the Southern Region ASHS conference in Orlando. Thomas is looking forward to a horticulture career that is “just as much about people as plants” and aspires to someday teach at the university level.
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Chris Currey
Purdue University
Chris Currey is a Ph.D. candidate at Purdue University. Chris believes that horticulture is truly “a science and an art” that enriches lives and connects individuals. He has a varied background in the industry including public garden, native plant nursery, orchid production, floriculture physiology, and breeding experience. Chris enjoys teaching, has served as a teaching assistant for several undergraduate horticulture courses, and looks forward to a career as an educator.
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Chris D'Angelo
Cornell University
Chris D’Angelo is a freshman at Cornell University. His interest in plants started at a very young age while growing up in his family’s garden center. Chris loves how dynamic working in horticulture can be and the variety of challenges the business presents. As a student he has been involved in Hortus Forum, Cornell’s horticulture club, and lab research on bacterial speck disease. Chris looks forward to networking and experiencing the OFA Short Course as an OFA Scholar.
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Morgan Jenkins
Kansas State University
Morgan Jenkins is a M.S. student at Kansas State University where her research focuses on consumer preferences of floral products and florist usage of floral preservatives. As an undergraduate majoring in communications she spent a Semester at Sea, traveling 14 countries while circumnavigating the globe. Morgan’s ultimate career goal is to own a retail florist design firm where she can create, design, and inspire and would like to explore opportunities in horticultural therapy.
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Jim "Chip" Moylan
Michigan State University
Jim Moylan is a senior at Michigan State University whose passion for plants started at an early age. Through his involvement with MSU’s Horticulture Club, of which he has served as president and webmaster, Jim has traveled to New Orleans to help restore a city park, placed 1st in PLANET’s Student Career Days irrigation design competition, and placed 1st overall in the MACHS competition. Jim’s ultimate career goal is to own and operate a high-end nursery and garden center.
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Heather Pariso
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
Heather Pariso is junior at Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute majoring in greenhouse production. Heather’s interest is getting people up off the couch and into gardening, especially the younger generations. To facilitate this she coordinates seminars and hands-on workshops at local preschools and garden clubs. Heather’s career goal is to grow the horticulture business and believes in educating and marketing to the non-gardening population.
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2009 OFA Scholars
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Alicain Carlson
North Carolina State University
As a scholar: Alicain is a graduate student at North Carolina State University where she focuses on the development of new cut flowers, including researching new species for high tunnel production. She plans to pursue a career in education and practical industry research, with grower education being a top priority.
Now: Alicain is still in graduate school and is anticipating graduation in 2010.
Quote: "I learned so much from talking to people and learning about the diversity of the industry. I will use this information to make a career decision and continue to network and use my new contacts."
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QiuXia Chen
Kansas State University
As a scholar: QiuXia enrolled in Kansas State University’s horticultural therapy program and aspires to develop hands-on community gardening programs, specifically geared toward third-world countries.
Now: QiuXia is still in school pursuing her bachelor's degree.
Quote: "Meeting with industry professionals on a one-on-one basis was invaluable. I learned a lot from them sharing their personal experiences with me and I was able to get a better understanding of a variety of jobs within different segments of the industry."
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Carola De La Torre
The Ohio State University
As a scholar: A plant pathology student Carola’s research focuses on the biology and resistance of Hosta Virus X. Upon graduation she aspires to remain in the industry as a researcher, where she can combine her interest in research with her need to solve problems and help people. Carola’s ultimate goal is to own a horticulture operation.
Now: Carola is still working on her degree at The Ohio State University.
Quote: "The best experience was meeting with industry professionals and learning about their jobs, companies, and their previous experiences. It was helpful to learn the different paths traveled to obtain the job they really wanted."
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Gretchen Giles
Michigan State University
As a scholar: Gretchen is pursuing horticulture as a second career. She enjoys all aspects of the greenhouse and nursery industries.
Now: Gretchen is continuing to work full-time and take classes to fulfill her degree program.
Quote: "I never knew there were so many different types of jobs in this industry. I am now very confident in the direction of my career! "
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Ka Yeon Jeong
North Carolina State University
As a scholar: Kay's research focuses on the development of a system to stabilize substrate pH during crop production. After graduation her goal is to support and educate growers and helping connect the dots between growers, consumers, and the floriculture industry.
Now: Kay is continuing her research and looking forward to graduation.
Quote: "My best experience as an OFA Scholar was meeting successful people. Everyone was so kind and supportive in providing me with good direction for my next steps. The awakening messages from the people whom I met in this program beat my heart and made my eyes sparkle. I really appreciate everyone being so welcoming and willing to share their stories and experiences. That was light, fertilizer, and water to grow my dream in floriculture world."
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Jongyun Kim
University of Georgia
As a scholar: Jong PhD research focused on improving plant-water relations and irrigation management, ultimately helping growers reduce inputs and maintain profits. He has presented his research and won awards at the Southern Nursery Association’s research conference and the American Society for Horticultural Science conference.
Now: Jong is still working on his PhD.
Quote: "Being an OFA Scholar opened my eyes to the real industry and to the importance of networking."
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2008 OFA Scholars
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Gladys Anguti
The Ohio State University
As a scholar: Gladys worked with Dr. Claudio Pasian on using controlled release fertilizer to reduce environmental contamination from greenhouse runoff. Gladys has extensive international experience studying and working in the Netherlands, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and her native Uganda.
Now: Gladys is nearly finished (graduating in March 2010) and is exploring various employment opportunities.
Quote: "I loved the experience! I would have never met people like Anna Ball, Susie Raker, Dr. Marvin Miller, and several others if it was not for being an OFA Scholar."
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Aubrey Ballinger
Cincinnati State Technical College
As a scholar: Aubrey completed nine-month internships at Diefenbacher Greenhouse and the horticulture department at the Cincinnati Zoo.
Now: Aubrey is finishing her course work while working as a full-time tech support assistant and keeping an eye open for industry jobs.
Quote: "I had a blast! I loved meeting all the different people in the industry, especially the other young professionals at Unplugged. I made several contacts that I will follow-up with regarding employment opportunities."
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Jenny Barnett
The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
As a scholar: Jenny is co-majoring in greenhouse and nursery production and is involved with the greenhouse club and nursery club. Prior to enrolling in the horticulture program Jenny was a preschool teacher.
Now: Jenny is working in the research labs at OARDC.
Quote: "Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity! I am pretty new to the industry and this experience helped me open my eyes to the career possibilities available." |
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James Cooley
The Ohio State University
As a scholar: His interest in horticulture was piqued by a summer job at a local nursery and landscaping business, and he quickly became interested in propagation and cultivation. James is involved with the Landscape and Floriculture Forum, Pi Alpha Xi, and volunteers at OSU's Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens.
Now: James pursuing a degree molecular genetics and looking forward to graduation in 2011.
Quote: "My best experience was the Unplugged networking event which put me in a position to speak and represent myself to potential employers in an environment that was inviting and just FUN overall!" |
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Christy Dudgeon
The Ohio State University
As a scholar: Christy served as president of Pi Alpha Xi, a national horticulture honors society. Christy and her husband own and operate a wholesale nursery and landscape business in Circleville, Ohio.
Now: Christy is the Business Development Associate for the Columbus Region for the Brickman Landscaping Group.
Quote: "The OFA Scholars Program was a wonderful experience! The networking and meetings with industry professionals was priceless!"
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Tim Sauner
The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
As a scholar: Tim co-majored in the greenhouse and nursery production programs and served as president for ATI's Nursery Club, vice-president of Phi Theta Kappa, and a member of the Greenhouse Club.
Now: Tim recently completed two internship programs, one at Raker and one at Willoway Nurseries.
Quote: "The OFA Scholars Program helped me gain a better understanding of the floriculture industry."
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2007 OFA Scholars
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Cassandra Hummel
The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
As a scholar: Cassi co-majored in Greenhouse and Nursery Production. Cassi was involved with the ATI Greenhouse Club, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Now: Cassi works in Michelle Jones' lab at OARDC with fellow OFA Scholar Nicole Waterland.
Quote: "Being an OFA Scholar helped me learn of many other jobs I could have other than a grower. I used to think that was all I could do, now I know differently!" |
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Rachel Rossler
The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
As a scholar: Rachel's career focus was on floral design and marketing, and she completed a floral internship with Disney.
Now: As a result of her OFA Scholars experience Rachel landed a job right after graduation with a reputable florist she admired as a student. Rachel is also an Ohio Certified Florist
Quote: "The possibilities in the floriculture industry are endless. Being an OFA Scholar gave me a better understanding of what careers are out there."
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Douglas Schuster
The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
As a scholar: Doug was raised in his family's greenhouse and a love for plants was instilled upon him at a young age. As a result Doug pursued a degree in greenhouse production and management.
Now: Doug is the Greenhouse Coordinator of the OSU ATI teaching greenhouses where he oversees all aspects of the greenhouse and works with students in group settings and one-on-one in producing crops.
Quote: "The OFA Scholars Program helped me meet a lot of industry people and make connections. I feel that I now have more options and job opportunities."
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Nicole Waterland
The Ohio State University
As a scholar: Nicole came from Iowa where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Iowa State University. She is working on a PhD at OSU and plans to pursue a career in education and research.
Now: Nicole is finishing up her thesis and looking forward to starting her professional career.
Quote: "Being an OFA Scholar was great! I met with industry leaders one-on-one. Being new to the industry and not really knowing anyone it would be difficult to meet these people on my own."
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