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May 20, 2008 -
Students enrolled in Spartanburg Community College's horticulture
program will have a new opportunity for real-world landscape training
thanks to an internship program recently announced with Charleston-based
landscape firm Southland Landscape Corporation. Beginning in May, SCC horticulture students will have the opportunity to participate in an internship program that will provide training in a variety of skills including landscape maintenance, working with irrigation systems, installing landscapes and applying pesticides and fertilizers. “Hands-on experience is invaluable in the horticulture industry,” said Jason Bagwell, SCC's horticulture department head. “Working alongside industry professionals like Southland will give students the opportunity to experience real-world applications in a high-quality work environment. This opportunity will be a tremendous asset to every student both in the classroom and as they begin their careers.” The SCC horticulture technology program is a two-year associate degree program with emphasis on landscaping, nursery operations and greenhouse work and is the only program of its kind in the Upstate. The College's campus arboretum and gardens provide students with an outdoor learning area. Accompanied by four greenhouses, a nursery and an ornamental garden, these areas offer students hands-on learning experiences that lead to numerous career opportunities in the Southeast. SCC's horticulture partnership with Clemson University enables students to transfer SCC credit towards a Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture, agriculture education or other related majors at the University. In addition to the internship program, Southland has established a $1,000 scholarship through the SCC Foundation that will be awarded each fall to one SCC horticulture student. “We are pleased to partner with Spartanburg Community College as a participant in their internship program,” said Don Pottieger, president of Southland. “In the same spirit, Southland Landscape Corporation is proud to provide a scholarship for students who wish to enter into the green industry and study horticulture at this fine institution.” “Scholarships such as these allow deserving SCC students the opportunity to realize their educational and career goals,” said Nancy Dickson, executive director of the SCC Foundation. “Southland Landscape Corporation is a wonderful example of the excellent support local business and industry provide for our students and to this College. Paying for college is often a large obstacle for many students but thanks to companies like Southland, many more students will be able to realize their dreams of earning a college degree.” About Southland Landscape Corporation Headquartered in Charleston, SC, Southland Landscape Corporation is a full-service landscape management firm that provides services throughout the state of South Carolina with offices in Charleston, Columbia and Spartanburg. With a primary focus on commercial landscaping, the company offers landscape maintenance and construction services. For more information about Southland Landscape Corporation, please visit the website at www.southlandusa.com. About Spartanburg Community College SCC is a fully accredited, two-year college providing high-quality, affordable education to 5,000 students in degree, diploma and certificate programs and to more than 15,000 students in continuing education and lifelong learning programs in Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union counties. To learn more about SCC Horticulture Deparment visit the website at www.sccsc.edu/hort |