College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Horticulture

Featured Alumni

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  Horticulture alum is now the director of the Alaska Botanical Garden

  Published on January 5, 2022
  As a leader in public horticulture, Mike Monterusso has a satisfying career that also allows him to dig in the dirt when needed.

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  During his horticulture career, Ren developed people, management, and business skills that could be used anywhere

  Published on November 23, 2021
  Ren Vande Guchte used his horticulture degree to work at and then eventually own an international flower bulb and perennial wholesale company.

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  Paige Kennedy is the lead propagator at the Amazon Seattle Spheres

  Published on September 30, 2021
  She followed her Horticulture passion and has a satisfying career path.

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  Alum Stephanie Makela is a research technician at Pure Line Seeds in Washington State

  Published on August 5, 2021
  Her work combines her favorite areas of horticulture: production, plant breeding and seed production.

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  Tim Boland is Executive Director of Polly Hill Arboretum

  Published on June 22, 2021
  Using his B.S. degree in Horticulture, Tim has traveled around the world collecting tree seeds and enjoys managing the Arboretum's collection of trees and shrubs.

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  Horticulture alum manages 300 acres of vineyards

  Published on April 2, 2021
  Peter Rigan's work is exciting because each season in the vineyards is different.

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  MSU alum Dr. Jennifer Brown is now the Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education at U.C.-Riverside

  Published on February 5, 2021
  After earning her Ph.D. in Horticulture at MSU, Jennifer Brown has had a full and thriving career in higher education.

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  Horticulture alum is now an international consultant

  Published on January 11, 2021
  Dan Hinkley has collected seed and studied plants all over the world.

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  MSU alum combines business and horticulture to make a difference in the community

  Published on December 8, 2020
  George Van Atta celebrates more than 40 years as owner of Van Atta's Greenhouse and Flower Shop in Haslett, Michigan.

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  Emily is the Director of Education and Certification at the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association

  Published on October 23, 2020
  Emily enjoys staying up-to-date on all aspects of the horticulture industry and supporting all sectors of our great Green Industry.

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  Brittney continues to learn and grow her passion for horticulture

  Published on August 19, 2020
  Brittney Kee graduated from Michigan State in 2010 with a B.S. degree in Horticulture. She is now a full-time agriculture educator and owns her own florist business.

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  Josh Niuewsma enjoys the variety of his projects at Kloosterman Landscaping

  Published on June 3, 2020
  Josh Niuewsma graduated from Michigan State in Spring of 2017 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture, concentrated on Landscape Design, Construction, and Management and also with an IAT certificate in Lawn and Landscape Management.

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  Wendy Kloostra inspires her own students at Ohio State University

  Published on April 27, 2020
  Wendy Kloostra graduated as a Master's student in Spring of 2008 and now uses her passion for horticulture to teach at Ohio State University.

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  Ben Harcey uses his love for the outdoors at Designs by Sundown

  Published on February 1, 2020
  Ben Harcey graduated in Spring of 2016 and now oversees over 1,200 clients annually at Designs by Sundown.

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  The supportive environment at MSU has paved the way for Shujun Ou

  Published on October 13, 2019
  Shujun Ou recently graduated from Michigan State in December of 2018 with a PhD in Plant Genetics and Evolutionary Biology. We asked him a few questions about what he has been up to since graduating.

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  Horticulture alum Matt Ross sees endless opportunities with a horticulture degree

  Published on September 6, 2019
  Matthew Ross graduated from Michigan State in May 2006 with a degree in Horticultural Science and went on to receive a Master's with an emphasis on Landscape Design Construction Management.

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  Horticulture alumna finds dream job back at MSU

  Published on April 26, 2019
  After graduating three years ago, Bethany Troy enjoys her job back on Michigan State's campus as a Perennial Garden Manager at our gardens.

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  Horticulture alum runs 12-acre greenhouse in Michigan

  Published on February 12, 2019
  Susie Raker-Zimmerman graduated with a B.S. degree in Horticulture from MSU and now runs a 12-acre greenhouse facility with over 200 employees.