There are so many unique and special things that we get to experience as part of the Newfields community. And one September day stands out as an extra special one for a few of us. 

After a morning of learning, laughing, and delighting in the stories of Tim Boland, Bryce Lane, Teresa Woodard, and our own Irvin Etienne at the Fall Horticulture Forum (read our recap here), a small group gathered inside Garden Terrace for a reunion of sorts.  

Returning “home” were eight former Horticulture Society Fellowship students. They’d joined us to celebrate the more than three-decade long legacy of horticulture education and inspiration for emerging professionals and toast to its continuation for many cohorts to come, thanks to a (literally) life-changing endowment gifted by Ed Fehnel last year. 

Seeing students from almost twenty years ago catching up with staff that taught them and bonding with the newest cohorts of students left the greatest impact on me. All our alumni recounted stories of pterodactyl-sized mosquitos, bouts of poison ivy, and their first days feeling lost and overwhelmed. These tales (really battle scars that are rites of passage for gardeners everywhere) were quickly followed by admissions of which staff members still hold court in their heads to this day while they work in their own garden spaces, labs, and drafting tables. 

Long-time advocates of the Horticulture Society Fellowship program, Ed, and Newfields staff joined in the fun, spending most of the event catching up and enjoying one another’s company.  

Brief remarks were made to thank everyone for the mark they make on these students’ futures. The experiences shared by current Newfields Horticulturist and program alumni from 2022, Leah Coughlin, were especially notable as she recounted all of the things that helped shape and launch her career. I got to watch multiple attendees get a little watery eyed (I won’t name names!) as she described how impactful this program is for so many young people at a critical juncture in their lives. Jonathan Wright, Ruth Lily Director of The Garden and Fairbanks Park, finished up the program and gave a toast to the Horticulture Society for starting and funding these positions until now and to Ed for ensuring their continuation. 

After we dried our eyes, the whole group went for a brief jaunt around The Garden led by Tom and Nora Hiatt Director of Horticulture, Chad Franer, ending at the Madeline F. Elder Greenhouse where our 2006 alumni-turned-staff member, Ian Wilhite, shared his current favorite collection items and reiterated Leah’s appreciation for his time here. Everyone went home with warm, buoyed hearts and some laser-cut red oak leaves crafted by yours truly. (My office still smells like burning wood three weeks later.) 

Having all “my ducklings” together at the same time and place may be one of the highlights of my career so far. Their curiosity, passion, and bright light is the perfect reminder of why we put our time, effort, and dollars into educational programs like this one. Each of these successful adults soaked up what we poured into them, and now they are out in the world paying that feverish joy for the industry forward.  

I was lucky enough to have exceptional teachers and mentors 15 years ago at several institutions (they were oh-so patient and I was an excitable mess), and I am honored and beyond grateful that I get to imbue that into a new crop of young professionals every year in hopes of continuing that legacy. 

Learn more about the Ed Fehnel Horticulture Fellowship in our Newsroom article.