January 2021 MSU Turfgrass Alumni Update

Greetings from the (Empty) Land of Green and (very little so far) White,

To call this past fall semester unusual would be an insult to the word unusual. My beginning turfgrass class had 16 students, 10 from the IAT programs and 6 in our BS program. (We were down from 14, since 4 decided to defer to Fall 2021.) Since we were 100% on-line, our only thoughts were to send each student the 16 grasses we needed them to learn and a grow light (needed that back). I thought for the most part they hung in there with learning the grasses, and got some valuable lessons regarding overwatering. Of course, (Now Dr.) Thomas Green was invaluable with his assistance as well as TA, Jackie Guevara. I was quite proud of the efforts of all the students. They really gave me all they had considering the circumstances.

In October, it became clear to me that things were not going to get any better for spring 2021 and we were not going to be nay different that fall in terms of on-line teaching. so, took matters in our own hands and started making calls to courses in California, Arizona, Texas and Florida to see if we could get these students to a golf course for the winter. Heck, why be in the house taking classes when we could be taking the same classes and working on a golf course, making money and getting experience? So when classes start next week, we will start the ‘great experiment’. There will be 6 students in California, 4 in Arizona, one in Texas, and 6 in Florida all working and full-time in class. The students will have classes with faculty on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to accomplish necessary classwork. Since this is a heavy lab semester, and we cannot perform hands on labs easily, we are going to use the technicians and specialists at these golf courses as our adjunct instructors. Quite exciting really. Who knows, we may have a new model. I will be back with a report in April. Keep your fingers crossed. At least I know they will not be cold.

Keep looking for lost souls.

Trey Rogers

There is plenty of room in all Programs for Students!

Deadlines for Applications is July 2021!

In fall 2019, the administration of the Golf and Sports Turf admissions changed the application process to 100% on-line. Most of the bugs are worked out as we move into 2021, and it appears pretty seamless now.

I do see a slight increase in interest from prior years.

Learn More about Turf Programs

2020-2021 Student Scholarship Winners

MSU Turf students have a long history of earning scholarship awards and recognition, and, while interviewing was a challenge, 2020 was no exception.

GCSAA Scholarship Winners

Steven Page

Nathan Howard

Spencer Cole

Ty Barschdorf

Trans- Miss Golf Association College Scholarships

Darryl Jackson

Sports Turf Managers Association – Jim Watson Award

Keith Koch

Michigan Turfgrass Foundation Scholarships

Norman Kramer Award

Payton Perkinson

KT Payne Award

Colin King

Sports and Commercial Turf Award

Keith Koch

MTF Merit Scholarships

Spencer Cole

Clayton Hoekwater

Michigan State University Scholarships

Robert Osterman Scholars

Spencer Cole

Joel Doepker

Jack McCarthy

Payton Perkinson

Steven Page

Brendan Stuchell

C.E. ‘Tuck’ and Becky Tate Scholars

Clayton Hoekwater

Darryl Jackson

Colin King

Hal and Mark Vogler Memorial Scholars

Ty Barschdorf

Adam Edick

James and Harriet Beard Outstanding Turfgrass Graduate Student Award

Jackie Guevara

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association Scholarship

Spencer Cole

Steven Page

Payton Perkinson

Jackson Severns

Brendan Stuchell

Michigan Sports Turf Management Association Scholarship

Keith Koch

If you would like to drop a line to any of these winners, just contact me and I will happily give you their contact information. (Several of you know I have notified you in the past on these activities, and that will continue next year as we are in a transition period with our database.)

While the year will never be forgotten for many obvious reasons, for my wife and I, it will never be forgotten as we welcomed our first grandchild into the world. Miles Lee McMillan was born December 21, 2020 to Miranda (second daughter) and Stefan McMillan. All is well, all is well. What a Christmas present!