Spartanburg Community College Hosts the Magnolia Society International During Annual Carolinas Tour

Spartanburg Community College Hosts the Magnolia Society International During Annual Carolinas Tour

SPARTANBURG, SC — Spartanburg Community College recently welcomed members of the Magnolia Society International (MSI) to campus as part of the organization’s 2026 Annual Meeting held throughout the Carolinas. The event brought magnolia experts, horticulture professionals, and enthusiasts from across the United States and abroad to experience some of the region’s most notable gardens and arboretums, including SCC’s nationally recognized horticulture program and arboretum.

The Annual Meeting of the Magnolia Society International rotates between locations across the United States and international destinations each year. This year’s itinerary included visits throughout the Upstate of South Carolina, Western North Carolina, and Charlotte, highlighting premier horticultural collections and educational institutions. SCC was honored to serve as one of the featured tour locations during the weekend’s activities.

During the visit, guests toured SCC’s arboretum and horticulture gardens, participated in guided walks led by faculty, and attended a catered dinner hosted in the newly renovated Bagwell Horticulture Pavilion. Dr. Kevin Parris, SCC Horticulture Instructor and Arboretum Director, also presented to attendees on the College’s magnolia breeding initiatives and the ongoing development of the campus arboretum.

“Having the International Magnolia Society visit our campus arboretum and magnolia collection is a testament to the connectedness of our program and the horticultural industry,” said Jay Moore, Department Chair of SCC’s School of Horticulture. “As we continue to strive to produce graduates to meet the market needs and demands, we are constantly reminded that what we do matters to our students, our community, and our industry. Luckily, when we have visitors like the folks from the International Magnolia Society visit, they give us a vote of confidence we need to continue to do our jobs as horticulture instructors.”

“Saturday's visit from Magnolia Society was a true honor to experience,” said Dr. Kevin Parris, SCC Horticulture Instructor and Arboretum Director. “It recognizes the 18 years of novel breeding work we have been doing at SCC and has been a tremendous opportunity to showcase 54 years of horticulture work within our campus arboretum. I was personally moved to have so many friends and mentors travel great distances to spend time in the gardens we have built.”

“Spartanburg Community College was proud to host Magnolia Society International and welcome such an exceptional group of guests to campus to showcase our beautiful arboretum and highlight the strength of our horticulture program—one of the region’s most impactful applied learning environments where innovation, sustainability, and workforce preparation intersect to support both local communities and the global agricultural economy,” said Dr. Michael Mikota, President of Spartanburg Community College.

SCC’s School of Horticulture has served the region for more than five decades and continues to provide hands-on education and workforce preparation for students pursuing careers in horticulture, landscape management, greenhouse production, and related industries. The College’s arboretum and horticulture gardens serve as both a learning laboratory for students and a destination for visitors throughout the community.

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