A tight knit group of University of Florida graduates turned their tassels Friday, May 2, celebrating their completion of degrees in natural resource conservation and environmental horticulture. A total of six students donned traditional black robes and received their degrees. Dr. Wes Wood said, "These are premium degrees recognized around the world." Wood said these degrees could lead to careers in forestry, conservation, and horticulture. Wood said he himself was a new director to the program, starting three months ago and having served 25 years at Auburn University. According to Wood, the professors not only teach and conduct research, but also work in extension, meaning they help state producers in growing crops or dealing with environmental problems.
Pictured students are Kevin M. Smith, Jacob J. Hullett, Christopher M. Jones, Julie L. Wood, Ryan A. O'Connell, and Phillip Z. Garrett. The faculty behind them are Doctors Kimberly Bohn of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, Ramon Leon of Weed Science, Debbie Miller of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Mack Thetford of Environmental Horticulture, and Wes Wood, the center director and professor.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: A tightly knit group