Special Feature —
College of DuPage Horticulture Department 50th Anniversary Celebration by Meta Levin
COD is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Horticulture Department with an open house October 13, 2022, nearly 52 years to the day that the Illinois Junior College Board and the Board of Higher Education approved its first ornamental horticulture program. That milestone happened on October 12, 1970. Since that day, the program has grown to what Department Chair Brian Clement estimates to be one of the largest horticulture programs in Illinois — 325 students — and perhaps the Midwest. Guided by an advisory board of industry professionals, it has significantly expanded its offerings, started a dual credit program with 10 area high
schools, established internship and apprenticeship opportunities and in one of its newest programs, provides inmates in the DuPage County jail with training and education. The department is working with ILCA and the COD Project Higher Ed on the apprenticeship program. “Our advisory board has about 15 industry professionals, some high school dualcredit instructors, a student member and Scott Grams, ILCA executive director,” says Clement. “We have a lot of industry support and the board plays a huge role in the program.” The open house, scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. October
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The Landscape Contractor October 2022