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THE JOE VARGAS CHAIR IN
Turfgrass Pathology
The individual who holds the Joe Vargas Chair in Turfgrass Pathology will be driven, creative and utilize cutting-edge techniques to tackle pressing challenges for solutions that positively impact the field of turfgrass science around the world. Funds from the Vargas Chair endowment will allow us to do research in the area of greatest promise rather than being constrained by a specific grant opportunity. At the same time, the research they conduct with resources from the endowment, along with the benefits of being a part of a large research institution, will provide the catalyst for additional grant and research support. The Vargas Chair will conduct innovative research that will forever link the MSU brand with a meaningful and positive impact on the industry.
$5 MILLION ENDOWMENT
The individual who holds the Joe Vargas Chair in Turfgrass Pathology will be driven, creative and utilize cutting-edge techniques to tackle pressing challenges for solutions that positively impact the field of turfgrass science around the world. Funds from the Vargas Chair endowment will allow us to do research in the area of greatest promise rather than being constrained by a specific grant opportunity. At the same time, the research they conduct with resources from the endowment, along with the benefits of being a part of a large research institution, will provide the catalyst for additional grant and research support. The Vargas Chair will conduct innovative research that will forever link the MSU brand with a meaningful and positive impact on the industry.
Your Impact
As the nation’s pioneer land-grant university, it is our responsibility to recruit and support faculty who are ready to tackle the world’s most challenging issues. We value research that enhances our ability to deliver advanced solutions and educational initiatives for the turfgrass industry.
Your Impact
As the nation’s pioneer land-grant university, it is our responsibility to recruit and support faculty who are ready to tackle the world’s most challenging issues. We value research that enhances our ability to deliver advanced solutions and educational initiatives for the turfgrass industry.
By helping to create the Joe Vargas Chair in Turfgrass Pathology at Michigan State University, you are investing in the industry, our students, faculty, and research. With your partnership, we will ensure that Michigan State University continues to lead the field as the premier school for turfgrass science and management. Together, we can make a difference in ways that improve the lives of our communities, strengthen the economy, and change our world.
By helping to create the Joe Vargas Chair in Turfgrass Pathology at Michigan State University, you are investing in the industry, our students, faculty, and research. With your partnership, we will ensure that Michigan State University continues to lead the field as the premier school for turfgrass science and management. Together, we can make a difference in ways that improve the lives of
Dr. Joe Vargas has dedicated his 51 year career to improving the quality of turf on every continent except Antartica. His knowledge has been shared in over 200 articles and over 1,000 presentations. As an international expert on turfgrass diseases, he is a member of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame.
Michigan Golf Hall of Fame.
When you think of Registered Apprenticeship, generally plumbers, electricians, welders come to mind. Why not the skilled trade of golf agronomy?
The Michigan Golf Course Association (MGCA)
“Golf Course Maintenance Technician” Registered Apprenticeship, was designed to help the critical need that our golf courses in Michigan have while exposing an individual to a different career path.
Registered Apprenticeship is a turnkey proactive approach to retain and recruit employees, and now available the Michigan golf industry.
MGCA, along with collaborative input from Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF), Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association (MiGCSA), and Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), is the intermediary with the United States Department of Labor for the Registered Apprenticeship “Golf Course Maintenance Technician”.
The registered apprenticeship program opens the door to help golf courses increase their workforce and offer advanced career opportunities. For interested apprentices who might be from outside the golf industry or someone already working at a course, the benefits of enrolling in Michigan’s Registered Apprenticeship program are working alongside field experts to gain on-the-job learning and getting an agronomy education. Combining on the job learning with a minimum 144 hours completing an online educational curriculum through the GCSAA, apprentices earn a national occupational credential.
To date, we have 10 golf courses, with 10 apprentices to kick off the 2023 season. There are several more golf courses that are interested. Below are some frequently asked questions that you may have as you consider this opportunity.
FAQ on Registered Apprenticeship
1. Does the mentor have to be the same person for all of the On-Job-Learning?
No, the mentor can be a different person for different competency or topic areas of the defined Work Process during On-JobLearning. The mentor must be proficient in the competency or topic area the apprentice is training in.
2. Do we need to have an apprentice in place before “signing on” as a golf course?
No. Golf courses “sign on” to the MGCA Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) to be able to offer the program to their employees. Once a course is a RAP employer apprentices can be added to the program. Of course the best case scenario is to have a candidate that is ready to be enrolled.
3. Is there an up-front cost for a golf course to offer the Registered Apprenticeship?
4. Since the Michigan golf industry is seasonal, how does that work with the Registered Apprenticeship?
In the case of seasonal occupations, Registered Apprenticeship Programs can be “paused”, to preserve the learning to date, and resumed in the spring.
5. If our company is awarded Going PRO Talent Funding, how can they be utilized?
The 2023 Going Pro Talent Fund Application process has already begun. Michigan Works! Agency partners facilitate applications for employers in the competitive process. The 2023 reimbursement for Classroom and/or On-JobLearning in a USDOL Registered Apprenticeship Program is $3,500 per apprentice (first year through completion). More information on this funding can be found here: https://www.michigan.gov/leo/ bureaus-agencies/wd/programsservices/going-pro-talent-fund
NOTE: In addition to Going PRO Talent Funds, substantial additional state and federal resources are available to support Registered Apprenticeship Programs in Michigan. Your local Michigan Works! Agency can help identify available funding and eligibility.
6. How does the company manage the Registered Apprenticeship?
The on-job-learning, and related instruction portions of the Registered Apprenticeship Program can be managed through a desktop/mobile application called RAPTOR (WorkHands). WorkHands streamlines the administrative process for the employer, apprentice, and MGCA.
