Horticulture Seniors are Sent into the World of Work

The ten horticulture seniors were sent into the world of work at the conclusion of the Hort Senior Chapel on March 13. The ceremony was held two weeks early in reaction to the COVID-19 situation.

The program began with Chaplain Mark Specht 7W7 giving an invocation followed by words from James McChesney, president of the Class of 2W2, Jack Becker, president of the Class of 2W1, and Chuck Feld, horticulture instructor, speaking at his final hort senior chapel before he retires.

Then, Tom Moffitt, dean of students, and President Michael Rounds, gave each hort senior a Williamson coin with their initials, class year, shop, the school’s core values, and the school seal. Moffitt said the coins are meant to be a reminder of Williamson’s core values — faith, integrity, diligence, excellence, and service — and everything learned at Williamson.

Then, President Rounds congratulated the seniors on their three years at Williamson and commended them on their outstanding exhibit in the Philadelphia Flower Show. He said, “Even though it didn’t win gold, I think it was the best exhibit ever. It looked great! You did a fantastic job.”

The chapel ended with the faculty and staff congratulating the departing students. Usually, hugs and handshakes are the order of the day, but with the COVID-19 situation, elbow bumping was popular.

The coins were purchased through a gift from the André J. Dupuis Foundation, which was created in memory of André Dupuis, a 2001 horticulture graduate who passed away in 2011. The foundation is dedicated to preserving the memory of André’s kindness and generosity.