Chris Hogan
What brought you to LWIT Environmental Horticulture?
In 1996 I was working as an assistant manager in the nursery department of a local hardware store and getting nowhere fast. I had heard about Don Marshall and the Environmental Horticulture program at LWIT and decided to enroll into the program. That was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
What are your industry related passions?
My passions have always been environmentally minded. I wanted to find ways to build and maintain landscapes sustainably. The Environmental Horticulture program gave me the skills I was looking for.
What project/job are you currently involved with?
As a local owner of Clean Air Lawn Care I am in the field building soil and plant health while maintaining my clients' landscapes sustainably.
What wisdom would pass along to share with others in the industry or thinking about it?
Always look for that niche market and stay current with your industry peers.
Jean McCall
After growing up on a Kansas farm, I now know the old saying to be true: "You can take the girl out of the farm, but can't take the farm out of the girl."
After 20 years in finance I sought a career change that would allow me to work with my hands and take me outdoors. I envisioned a new path that could span many more years to come. Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) Horticulture program proved the perfect fit for me to learn the basics about seeding, transplanting and maintaining plants and also landscape design. I soon discovered that instructor Don Marshall has every intent that each student succeeds...even a former, over-50 office worker!
Typically, I arrive a few minutes before 7:00 a.m. and don't notice the time until we are ready to leave at noon. With much attention focused on lecture, greenhouse, crew days, field trips and in-house professionals, I have to admire the program Don has fine-tuned for 27 years. With my knowledge gained at LWIT, I envision opening my own business in one of the specialties of horticulture. This will be the perfect legacy to leave to my children.
Rick Espe
I was employed by Qwest Communications in the highly technical field of telecommunications. I spent many hours sitting at a desk, working at a computer, standing in front of peers and trainees, going to meetings and more meetings, and yes, hours communicating on, of all things, the telephone! Due to corporate downsizing I found myself unemployed. It was probably the best thing that could have happened to me.
I've always enjoyed working in my garden and found an appealing Welding For Garden Art class and also the Environmental Horticulture program at LWIT. After one meeting with Don Marshall, I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
Upon completion of the program, I plan to get my state certification (CPH) and pursue gainful employment in the industry, probably working for a nursery, possibly in some faction of greenhouse operations. Within a year, I plan to put a greenhouse (or two!) on my property and find a commercial niche I can fulfill. Combined with the Garden Art and some residential design and consultation business, I believe my final years before retirement will be abundantly blessed and full. In fact, retirement may very well get pushed back by several years.
There is definitely something challenging when it comes to engaging the senior brain in a program richly filled with technical and scientific words and concepts, not to mention the botanical Latin from which all plants are named and classified. I still have much to learn on my new career path.
Ann Engstrom
I decided to study horticulture after spending 15 years working in the software industry. I already hold a B.S. degree in Agricultural Business from Iowa State University and wished to find a job in the "green industry." In short, I wanted to return to my roots (pardon the pun) and develop a career in horticulture. I now proudly hold an AAS degree in Environmental Horticulture from Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT).
The reputation of LWIT's Environmental Horticulture Department preceded itself, leaving no doubt in my mind that I would join the many hands-on classes at my neighboring college.
Since I'm not a Northwest native, I wasn't really familiar with the plants that grow here. Studying plants I'd never seen before became somewhat of a challenge. However, with the arboretum on campus and the program's teaching methodology, plant identification eventually became easier for me.
I must credit and thank instructor Don Marshall for his ever-present enthusiasm and vast knowledge of the subject. He has a knack of presenting material to a diverse group of students in a way that is understandable, yet challenging for all. More recently, through my travels, I continuously find that Don Marshall is one of the most respected and well known educators in the horticulture field.
Now here I sit...the Manager for the Northwest Flower & Garden Show! As one of the largest indoor flower and garden shows in North America, our show always attracts thousands of Northwesterners looking for signs that spring will eventually arrive in Seattle. I'm the one responsible for creating a venue, which showcases the best landscaping talent from area nurseries and garden-related businesses. I particularly love recruiting the people who create the extraordinary show gardens.
Ironically, had I not attended LWIT, I most likely wouldn't have my current job. I met the show's founder and chairman while studying at LWIT, who recruited me when the position at the show became available. This, coupled with Don Marshall and his students' long-standing relationship with the flower show, provided me with my new career in the green world.
As time permits, I also love to ski, bike, and swim, but always find the time for my two favorite hobbies...collecting plants and touring gardens.
