STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND HONORARIES

Horticulture students have many opportunities to interact with other students at Purdue through involvement in student organizations, honor societies and clubs. These organizations bring together students and faculty that share common interest and career goals. The following are brief descriptions of honor societies and student organizations directly related to horticulture and agriculture.

Purdue Horticultural Society / Hort Club

The Purdue Horticultural Society is a student organization that provides professional, social, and educational activities for students in horticulture and other disciplines. The club is a member of the Associate of Collegiate Branches (ACB) of the American Society for Horticultural Science and the Mid-American Collegiate Horticulture Society (MACHS). Faculty Advisors are Drs. Bruce Bordelon and Michael Dana.

The Hort Club has regular meetings twice a month, on Wednesdays, and Executive Committee meetings on the alternate Wednesdays. Programs for meetings include guest lectures, social events with the faculty, and fund-raising projects. Hort Club is one of the most financially sound option clubs on campus due to the size of its fund-raisers. These include apple cider and caramel apple sales at Feast of the Hunter's Moon, rose sales for Sweetest Day and Valentine's Day, and the annual Hort Show. Funds are used to take Spring Break and October Break trips, and for scholarships. Some of the Hort Club activities help charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the Tippecanoe County Historical Society.

Hort Club awards two $500 scholarships each year; the Les Hafen Outstanding Senior in Horticulture Award, and the Purdue Horticultural Society Outstanding Member Award. Students must be members of the club to be eligible for these awards. Hort Club is open to students of all majors and all students are encouraged to join. Involvement in the club is one of the best ways to gain experience in horticulture, meet people with similar interests, and interact with faculty.

Purdue Society of Landscape Architects

The Purdue Society of Landscape Architects (PSLA) is a student organization that provides professional, social and educational activities for students in the Landscape Architecture program. The club is student affiliate of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the professional organization of the profession. The faculty advisor is Bernie Dahl.

The PSLA has meetings biweekly with the Executive Committee meeting on the alternate weeks. Meeting days are established each semester based on the schedules of most active members. Programs for meetings include guest lecturers from local and regional companies, social events with faculty, and fund-raising projects. Funds are used to bring in nationally known speakers, field trips to visit firms and gardens, awards banquets, and for materials used in community service projects. Some of the PSLA activities help charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.

PSLA is open to all students that have an interest in how we design and plan to use our land. Involvement in the club is one of the nest ways to learn about and gain experience in the profession of Landscape Architecture, meet people with similar interests and interact with the faculty outside of the academic experience.

Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA)

The ALCA Purdue Chapter was established by a group of students in the Landscape Horticulture and Design and Landscape Architecture programs in the fall of 2000. ALCA is a professional organization serving interior and exterior landscape maintenance, installation, and design/build contractors. Its mission is to advance the personal and professional growth of its members and the landscape services industry. Membership in the national organization is required of all chapter members.

The goals of the ALCA Purdue Chapter are to expand students' education beyond the classroom and to establish closer ties with each other and with professionals in the landscape industry. For students, membership in ALCA offers many benefits, including educational scholarships, a national student career fair, and admission to the national meetings where students can meet and interact with industry professionals. Planned chapter activities include sponsoring guest speakers and workshops, and participation in campus activities such as Spring Fest.

The chapter's faculty adviser is Paul Siciliano, with education and experience in both landscape horticulture and landscape architecture. All students who are considering a career in the landscape industry are encouraged to join ALCA, especially Landscape Horticulture and Design majors, Landscape Architecture students with an interest in the design/build industry, and Horticulture Production and Marketing students interested in nursery production.

Alpha Zeta

Agricultural honor/service fraternity that aspires to promote agriculture through scholarship, leadership and fellowship of its members.

Gamma Sigma Delta

The honor society of Agriculture, Consumer and Family Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. Gamma Sigma Delta is dedicated to recognizing academic achievement and accomplishments of students, faculty and alumni.

Pi Alpha Xi

The Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture honor society, recognizing significant accomplishments of both students and faculty.