Departmental News

Jr. Master Gardener Camp a Success!

Camp JMG (Junior Master Gardener) was the week of July 11th, and 18 children (ages 8-12) spent 10 hours a day at the OSU Botanic Garden. The camp included activities both indoors and out, with garden explorations in the mornings and games, arts and crafts, and projects with a garden theme throughout the day. One day was spent at the OSU Insect Adventure, where the children raced termites and painted with maggots. One favorite project was making soap of different colors and scents; another favorite was making Zen rock gardens. Healthy snacks were made daily---sweet potato chips, magical fruit salad, and ice-cream-in-a-bag were a few of them. Most of the activities were from the Junior Master Gardener as well as the Junior Plant Scientist curricula. Judging by the response, Camp JMG will be a regular summer occurrence!

The Botanic Garden Grand Opening

It was an event that took several years in the making, but the vision, dedication and hard work has paid off. In a special private ribbon-cutting ceremony recently, the new entrance to The Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University, located west of Stillwater on State Highway 51, is offically opened. More . . .

2011 Japan Study Abroad Program

OSU Study Abroad group of 10 including professor Hsu, 7 OSU students and 2 Maejo University Thailand Professors participated in the 12th annual Japan/thailand Landscape Design Study Program. The group stayed at Fujiwara Guest House in Kameoka for most of the time and visited many gardens, had a garden construction workshop and several culture exchange activitieswith Kameoka citizens including green trip, garden BBQ, music concert, university visits, and farewell party. The group toured Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo before they continue the trip to Bangkok and Chiangmai Thailand.

On May 21, they went to Kameoka Exchange Center to have their 10th garden workshop in front of the center's entry way. Kameoka City is the sister city of Stillwater, Oklahoma. This exchange started in 1999 with the students from Oklahoma State University and Kameoka. The students and the Kameoka Gardener's Association youth division have worked together and learn through the hands-on instruction of the professional gardeners. The OSU students arrived in Kyoto on May 13 and left for Tokyo on May 24 (Brief Translation of the Kyoto Newspaper - middle photo).

Ritter Retires after 20 Years at Oklahoma State

John Ritter, Landscape Architecture Associate Professor, made the decision to retire from the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture upon the conclusion of the Spring 2011 semester. Ritter obtained a BS in Agriculture from Oklahoma State University then continued his education receiving a BLA and MLA at Kansas State University. Before coming to OSU to teach, John worked in the US and abroad in Greece, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the former Yugoslavia. Over the last 20 years, he taught construction and design courses, was a member of ASLA and mentored students. On April 8, faculty, students, family and friends honored John and celebrated his accomplishments as he looks forward to retirement and the travel it brings.

John Schroeder, 2011 Olmsted Scholar

Selected from nominees across the U.S. and Canada, Oklahoma State University's landscape architecture student, John Schroeder is a 2011 University Olmsted Scholar in the Landscape Architecture Foundation's Olmsted Scholars Program. This is an elite scholarship award program recognizing outstanding leadership in sustainability and design. Congratulations John for this recognition!

OSU to participate in 5-year study

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a $3.8 million grant to the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas and others for developing, improving and commercializing drought and salinity tolerant turfgrasses.

OSU scientists will be a participant of the turfgrass grant as well as scientists from North Carolina State University, University of Georgia and University of Florida. Read more . . .

Oklahoma proven selections are safe bet for gardeners

For the last few weeks, Oklahoma gardeners have probably been thinking more about snow removal and keeping their pipes from freezing than fertilizing the soil or pruning plants, But now there is a break in the winter weather, gardening enthusiasts can start planning their landscapes for spring and summer. Read more . . .

Dave Wolfard Inducted into the Oklahoma Turfgrass Hall of Fame

Mr. Dave Wolfard of John Deere was inducted into the Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation’s Oklahoma Turfgrass Hall of Fame during a ceremony on the opening day (Nov 16) of this year’s Oklahoma Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show. OTRF Hall of Fame induction is rare. It is OTRF’s highest honor for an individual; bestowed upon those that have provided extraordinary service over many years to the Oklahoma turfgrass industry, the OTRF and its members.

Don Cash, Dave Wolfard, Dennis Martin & Mike Buxton Honored for OTRF Board Service

Don Cash (City of Bixby), Dave Wolfard (John Deere), and Dennis Martin (Oklahoma State University) completed their terms of service with the Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation (OTRF) Board of Directors at the end of the 2010 Turf Conference & Show. All three were presented with Officers & Directors Service Awards in recognition for their most recent three-year term of service. The presentation occurred during the opening session of the conference on Tuesday, Nov 16th. Mike Buxton, (Supt, Lakeside Golf Club-Stillwater) the 2010 OTRF President, was presented with the Presidential Service Award for his most recent term of service as President, completed at the end of the 2010 conference.

Todd Tribble, Harold Neal and Justin Moss Elected to OTRF Board of Directors

During the 2010 Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation (OTRF) organization’s annual business meeting, three gentlemen were elected to serve three year terms on the OTRF Board of Directors. Elected individuals were Todd Tribble, OSU Athletic Field Superintendent; Harold Neal of Ewing Irrigation; and Justin Moss, OSU Turfgrass Program. Todd Tribble and Harold Neal will serve in Industry Director positions on the OTRF board while Justin Moss will serve as the Director of Education.

Graduate Student Places

Graduate student, Santanu Thapa places 3rd in the C-5 Turf Science poster session at the ASA/CSSA/SSSA International meetings in Long Beach, CA, October 31-November 4. Abstract Title: Drought tolerance and leaf firing resistance of twenty turf bermudagrasses.

Oklahoma Academy of Science Recognized Eilers

Congratulations to fourth year student Steve Eilers for being selected as the best collegiate presentation in the Environmental Science and Planning Section of the Oklahoma Academy of Science for the year 2010-11. His presentation was titled, "Social Philosophy and Urban Planning: The Influence of Thomas More and Philip II" and the event was held November 5, 2010.

Schulte, 2010 DASNR Distinguished Alumnus

Joe Schulte, Southwood Nursery owner, was announced as one of the 2010 Distinguished Alumni in the Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources recipients by Oklahoma State University. “The successes of each stand as a testament to the positive influence our graduates can and do have in their chosen career fields and in their communities,” said Robert E. Whitson, vice president, dean and director of the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. “They embody a standard of sustained excellence to be held in the highest regard.”

Schulte is president and chief operating officer of Southwood Landscape & Nursery Company Inc. of Tulsa, a full-service garden center and landscape design operation with 50 to 90 fulltime, part-time and seasonal employees. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture and landscape design and Master of Science degree in ornamental horticulture from OSU in 1973 and 1975, respectively.

His firm has frequently hosted the Tulsa Extension Master Gardeners, provided resources for the development of the Linnaeus Garden in Tulsa and has been active in supporting OSU horticulture programs such as the “Oklahoma Gardening” TV show, Oklahoma Proven, workshops and student internships. Schulte has served as a board member and president of the Oklahoma Nursery and Landscape Association, and also has provided leadership on various committees as part of the National American Nursery and Landscape Association.

Professional Advisory Council Visits Program

Landscape Architecture Professional Advisory Council (LAPAC) held a meeting in conjunction with senior student design V review and program portfolio reviews on October 21-22, 2010. Mr. Ted Hillmer from National Park Services helped out the late night design V studio project presentation. Mr. Brett Mann from Massey-Mann and Associates presented a special seminar, “How to Survive Great Recession” during the lunch hour. Mr. Joe Schulte, Southwood Landscape, Tulsa was honored in the following Reception in AGN Gallery for Distinguished DASNR Alumni Award recipient. Portfolio workshops went quite well with Prof. Michael Holmes “Portfolio’s Parts and Pieces” insightful how to presentation and followed with PAC members (Ted Hillmer, Dan Alaback, Wade Peterson, Mike Sottong, Mike Albert, Tim Presley, James Graber, Brett Mann, and other) participation in review and critics. Many thanks to PAC members and all of those involved and helped.

Students Hold Energizing Professional Panel

The OSU-ASLA Student Chapter held an emerging professional panel during their monthly meeting held October 20. Derek McCall, 2007 BLA Alumnus and Nick Fairless, 2008 Alumnus shared their experiences and advice on the transition from the university to the profession.

Garden Design Study Program

Students participated in a Japan/Thailand Urban landscape and historic study this summer.

Moesel Receives 2010 4-H Lifetime Volunteer

Mrs. Marjorie Moesel, a long time departmental supporter, received the 2010 4-H Lifetime Volunteer of Year award at the State Volunteer Conference by Dr. Charles Cox on July 17. Moesel has supported the 4-H program for over 40 years along with supporting the horticulture industry. She was the President for the National Junior Vegetable Growers Association and also served as the Vice-President of the Oklahoma Horticulture Society and worked with the youth programs for eight years. In 1990, Marjorie received the Nursery Woman of the Year award from the Oklahoma State Nursery Association.

OSU Viticulture and Enology Program Awarded Nationally Competitive Grant

The Oklahoma Stte Unviersity Viticulture and Enology program has been awarded a nationally competitive grant through the Specialty Crops Research Initiative administered by the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

OSU Initiates New European Landscape Architecture Internship

OSU has initiated a new European Landscape Architecture Internship Program with the City of Luxembourg, which will offer a paid internship this summer. OSU landscape architecture student Jared Merz from Elk city has accepted the Luxembourg internship. Dr. Charles Leider, who helped establish the program, will introduce Merz to the park director of Luxembourg City in May, following a presentation to the European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools.

PLANET Club Rises to Top at Competition

Congratulations to the OSU PLANET Club for their results in the PLANET Student Career Days, April 8-11 held at Atlanta, Georgia. Over 800 students competed and the OSU highlights are as follows: 1st Place: Alex Moore, Maintenance Cost Estimating. Alex earned a perfect score. This is only the 5th time in the history of the competition a perfect score has been earned. Chris Miller, Top 4%; Josh Pike, Top 9% and Alex Moore, Top 11%. The OSU Team consisted of James Custer, Shelly Wolf, Patrick Malloy, Chuck Roles, Levi Corbett, Scott Hilton, Chris Miller, Josh Pike and Alex Moore.

 

LA Senior Showcase, Friday, May 7th, 5:30 - 7 p.m. held in AGNorth (east of animal science). The students will also have a display viewing at the Student Union during Dead Week.

 

On April 9, Kenny Kowis from Schrickel, Rollins and Associates, Inc. from Arlington, Texas offered a three hour design charette for 32 students from the Landscape Architecture Design Studios II and IV. Students worked a SRA project using design concepts, schematic designs, and detail sketches. ASLA OSU chapter had two drawings, winners Alexi Crouthers and Kyle Kramer recieved a one day registration paid for the Central ASLA conference in Oklahoma City on April 23.

 

Camp T.U.R.F. (Tomorrow's Undergraduates Realizing the Future) is a 2-week, residential academy. Students will interact with professors and explore a variety of careers in horticulture and landscaping with hands-on activities at botanical gardens, field research stations, a turfgrass research center, and greenhouses, as well as local museums and special OSU facilties such as the Insect Zoo. Helpful sessions about college admission, finanacial aid, and study skills will be included in the academy. Evening and recretional activities are also planned. Participants for the academy have been selected and will be receiving information in the mail within the next week.

Traveling the Rails of Success

OSU students Seth Slife and Cody Klein were recognized at the American Society of Landscape Architects meeting in Chicago, September 18-21, 2009 after winning the top prize in the organization's international student competition in the category of analysis and planning. Their Oklahoma Revitalization project, "OKRail 2025: Reclaiming Rural American," focuses on creating a more environmentally friendly transportation system in Oklahoma. The students' achievemenet also is a first for Oklahoma State University. Read the stories. Stillwater Newspress.