Horticulture - PCToday - Pennsylvania College of Technology

Penn College Horticulture Alumnus Gains State Certification

Jan. 19, 2012 - 10:11 a.m.

Logan T. Richard, a May graduate of Penn College’s ornamental horticulture program, recently learned of his success in the Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist examination. The exam was administered in December by horticulture instructor Carl J. Bower Jr., who – like Richard – is one of about 300 PCHs in the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association’s Penn-Atlantic region. “Joining the ranks of certified horticulturists will help set Logan apart from the competition,” Bower said, “and the continued education to keep the certification will only strengthen its value.”

Horticulture Students Awarded Scholarships From State Association

Dec. 6, 2011 - 3:17 p.m.

Two associate-degree horticulture students at Penn College each received $1,250 scholarships during the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association Foundation’s recent member-celebration dinner at the Lancaster Convention Center. The scholarships – awarded to Kelsey R. Bromm, of Fountainville, and Matthew D. Lowe, of Lancaster – honor the students’ academics, ability to apply knowledge gained to real-life situations, personality and willingness to continue in the green industry.

Landscape Student Chosen as Ambassador for National Conference

Nov. 18, 2011 - 12:02 p.m.

The president of Penn College's Horticulture Club served as a student ambassador at the recent Green Industry Conference in Louisville, Ky. Jeremy L. Thorne, of Sugarloaf, majoring in landscape/horticulture technology: landscape emphasis in the college's School of Natural Resources Management, was one of eight students chosen nationwide for the Oct. 26-29 event.

Horticulture Students Tour Manufacturer, Gardens

Nov. 4, 2011 - 4:22 p.m.

Ornamental horticulture students, staff and faculty took an informative field trip to an EP Henry manufacturing plant in Parker Ford and the Hershey Gardens in Hershey on Thursday. " The EP Henry plant gave the students a look into the manufacturing of the types of pavers and retaining-wall products that they so often design and install in the landscape," horticulture instructor Carl J. Bower Jr. said. "The next stop was Hershey Gardens, where we met up with 2010 graduate Alyssa B. Richner, who is in charge of the children’s garden within the gardens." She and her staff gave the students an overview of the gardens; Richner also showed off the children's section and described the challenges and joys of her job. “Although the sun didn’t shine most of the day, the spirits weren’t dampen as they enjoyed the gardens and got a whole new insight into some critical landscape products," Bower said.

Penn College Family Raises Money, Cancer Awareness

Nov. 4, 2011 - 1:24 p.m.

An ever-charitable Penn College contingent took part in a number of fundraising events on behalf of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The Horticulture Club, based in the School of Natural Resources Management, raised $200 by selling fresh floral arrangements in pink and white. This was the sixth year for the sale, and adviser Carl J. Bower Jr. said total proceeds now top $2,000 in club donations to the American Cancer Society. This year's contribution went toward the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, held Oct. 29 in Montoursville's Indian Park. Six college employees (Becky J. Shaner, Lenore G. Penfield, Valerie L. Fessler, Jennifer A. Cline, Emily B. Miller and Jessica M. McCoy) were among the members of Shaner's Pink Berets team, which collected contributions and also received more than $50 from the Athletics department and the Healthy Wildcats. Those groups organized "Pink Out" activities, including a 50-50 raffle, in support of the same cause.

Student-Installed Garden Helps Church Memorialize Parishioners

Nov. 3, 2011 - 5:13 p.m.

A student design brought to flourishing life by a Landscape Operations class from Penn College is being considered a memorial garden at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery. “It’s nice when students can be involved in a project like this because it gives them a sense of community and lets them know they can make a difference in using their skills, ” said Carl J. Bower Jr., a faculty member in the college’s School of Natural Resources Management.

Horticulture Grad Plants Inspiration on Return to ESC

Nov. 3, 2011 - 4:15 p.m.

A May 2010 ornamental horticulture graduate returned to Penn College's School of Natural Resources Management on Thursday, speaking to students in Carol A. Lugg’s First Year Experience course and Carl J. Bower Jr.’s Landscape Operations class. “If you care about your education, you will get so much more from this experience," students were advised by Garrett M. Book, now employed by Earth, Turf & Wood Inc. in Lancaster County. "Graduating from Penn College isn't the end of your education, it is just the beginning." To prepare her students for the alumnus' Schneebeli Earth Science Center homecoming, Lugg – the school's matriculation and retention coordinator, who also provided the photos above – showed them a video of Book's commencement address. “Garrett is a perfect example of how you never know what life will bring," Bower said. "Being prepared for anything and working hard are the keys to success. That was the lesson I was hoping my students would get."

Youngsters Feed Curiosity, Exercise Green Thumbs in ESC Visit

Oct. 6, 2011 - 3:19 p.m.

Fifteen preschoolers from Penn College's Children’s Learning Center paid a visit to the Schneebeli Earth Science Center on Tuesday to help plant flower bulbs, play in the children’s garden and take in a view of the pond. Students in horticulture instructor Carl J. Bower’s Landscape Operations lab got a chance to work with the youngsters, whose playground on main campus is off-limits for a few weeks until recently laid sod – another project involving Bower's students, working with a college General Services crew – takes hold. “The children wanted to come over and check out the Idea Garden that the Landscape Operations students have built over the past few years,” said Bower, who also provided photos of the day's activities. Among elements of the Idea Garden is a children’s area with features such as a giant birds' nest, tree-stump seats and a flagstone hopscotch path. They also planted daffodils in the garden during their visit. “My students had fun working with the kids planting… they actually had more fun than they thought they would!” Before the youngsters left, they played ball on the recreation field, walked around the pond and had a snack at the pavilion. "Many got muddy, they caught a few worms and enjoyed a day without rain," Bower added. "Overall, it was a good day."

Horticulture Faculty Members Help Judge FFA Competitions

June 22, 2011 - 4:55 p.m.

Faculty members in Penn College’s School of Natural Resources Management served as judges for several competitions during the 2011 State FFA Activities Week, held June 14-16 at The Pennsylvania State University. FFA Activities Week gathers more than 1,400 high school students from throughout the state for three days of competitions and agriculture-related activities. Horticulture faculty members Carl J. Bower Jr. and Dennis P. Skinner judged the Public Speaking-Conservation category, while Dennis and Christine A. Fink joined Bower and Skinner the following day to judge Floriculture entries and the Nursery and Landscape competition.

Horticulture Instructor Achieves ‘Landscape Industry Certified’ Status

May 19, 2011 - 10:19 a.m.

A faculty member in Penn College’s School of Natural Resources Management has been designated a Landscape Industry Certified Horticultural Technician by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). Carl J. Bower Jr., a horticulture instructor at the college’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center, attained international certification on the basis of a recent examination covering a variety of topics including plant physiology, insect and disease identification, and pesticide safety.