Kwantlen horticulture student, Travis Olson, wins industry award.

For immediate release

For the Second Year in a Row a Kwantlen Horticulture Student Wins Industry Award

METRO VANCOUVER, BC – (September 22, 2011) – There’s a good reason that Travis Olson’s grass is looking a little greener these days. As a recent graduate of Kwantlen’s Turfgrass Management Diploma program, Travis has just been named the winner of the 2011 Canadian Golf Superintendent’s Association–Toro “Future Superintendent Award.”

The award is given in recognition of the recipient’s passion and dedication to the industry and their academic achievement. The nominees who are considered for this award are interviewed by a three person panel composed of representatives from the Toro Company, the industry and the Canadian Golf Superintendent’s Association.

“I feel very fortunate working for such great mentors as Superintendent, Neil Pilon and Assistant Superintendent, Alex Inglis, both of whom have had huge influences on my life and career,” commented Olson. “There is no doubt in my mind that this experience has been the most important in my career to date.”

As the winner of this year’s award, Olson will travel to Scotland and take part in a six-week training and work experience program. He will also travel to Minneapolis to tour Toro’s headquarters and attend the Canadian International Turfgrass Conference and Trade Show in Calgary next February as a guest of the Canadian Golf Superintendent’s Association. Toro will also award a personal computer to Kwantlen’s School of horticulture in recognition of Olson’s achievement.

“We’re all very proud of Travis’ achievements,” adds David Davidson, associate dean of Kwantlen’s School of Horticulture. “He’s a great representative of the high quality of students that are graduating from our programs. Travis and his instructors truly deserve all the recognition they’re receiving with this award.”

Olson began his golf course career in the pro shop of the Kamloops Golf & Country Club nine years ago – he has since progressed to the club’s Second Assistant. He was also selected for the 2010 Western Canada Turfgrass Association Scholarship Award and the 2011 School of Horticulture award in recognition of his outstanding achievements.

Kwantlen’s School of Horticulture provides students with opportunities in greenhouse and nursery production; investigations into forest infestation by insects and fungi; and research into environmentally safe practices of weed and insect-free urban grass surfaces, parks and home gardens. For more information: kwantlen.ca/hort

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 200,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts and science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 17,000 students annually have a choice from over 135 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations.

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For more information about Kwantlen’s horticulture programs, contact:
David Davidson
Associate Dean, School of Horticulture
Tel: 604.599.3259
david.davidson@kwantlen.ca

For more information about Kwantlen, contact:
Joanne Saunders
Director, Marketing and Communications
Tel: 604.599.2243
joanne.saunders@kwantlen.ca