"Thank you for all the care, the time, and dedication you put into your teaching. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to attend KPU’s School of Horticulture. I have spent quite a lot of my adult life in continuing education as I had to adopt to life circumstances and constant technological changes but I have never felt so well prepared as now to apply what I have learnt from my studies.
The diversity of your teaching styles of your personalities and interest have made the last two and a bit years a lot of fun while your different expertizes have provided me with a deep respect for the natural world."
Anne Worall
"Kwantlen was easily the best educational experience of my life from pre-school all the way up. The curriculum was rich with information and the teachers are truly an all-star cast of inspirational knowledgeable role models. I have moved back to VA and found that Kwantlen is already opening lots of doors to higher tiers of horticulture positions for me."
Eli Kosarin, Diploma graduate 2013
Jacquie could not have done all this without the support she received from staff and faculty; and she feels like she made the right decision in coming this route.
Just wanted to fill you in on my graduate!! Jacquie was hired on with the City of Richmond. They are so happy to have her and have given her so many koodoos for her vast knowledge of horticulture. She was advised that it would take probably two years before she was allowed to drive a truck unsupervised or even take the test, and when her team supervisor came back from holidays and found out she was from Kwantlen, he gave her the driving test on the spot and she now drives the trucks (with an added pay raise for this skill).
She has also been advised to take her arboriculture (government) test so she can move onto that portion of the Lands and Parks division. They are all very excited to have her on board. They have given her responsibilities of someone that has been with the division for 5 years or more...but being she has her hort. schooling, it is working to her benefit!!
Jacquie talks about her teachers and how she does miss them and how she really enjoyed her time at Kwantlen. She is so happy that she took the chance to study Horticulture; she was a bit nervous at first but she is happy that she jumped right in. She misses her classmates as well, but they seem to have a good relationship and talk on the email, so they can all see what is going on with each other.
One thing that Jacquie said that made me feel very happy and proud was that she could not have done all this without the support she received from staff and faculty; and she feels like she made the right decision in coming this route. She said to me "who gets to go to work and do the job that they love to do"!!! I am so proud of her, Jacquie is going places and the Hort program has given her that push start, and the confidence to go out there and put forth the training and skills she obtained here at Kwantlen.
She walked across the stage last week to get her diploma and was very happy with what she has accomplished; and so is her family. She is the BEST kid ever, thanks to you and your staff/faculty for the wonderful experience that my daughter was able to have here at Kwantlen.
Thanks for all your support from a proud Horticulture Graduate Mum
"Because of Kwantlen's combination of practical and academic study environment, I now have the tools necessary to reach my goals."
Mike Kiener is currently enrolled in the Turf Management program at the Langley Campus and, once graduated, plans to work as a Golf Course Superintendent.
"Horticulture is a very diverse field and the training I received at Kwantlen is viewed as the best in the industry."
Michael Long received the Governor General's Academic Medal when he graduated from Kwantlen's Horticulture Technology-Landscape Diploma program. Now working for the City of Langley's Parks and Recreation Department, Long says he's amazed by the number of doors that have opened for him since graduation.
"I was able to benefit from the knowledge and experience of excellent instructors, while learning in small classes that encouraged discussion and understanding."
After 29 years with an international company, the last four of which were spent as president of the commercial division in Mexico and Central America, I was downsized. Instead of going back into the corporate environment, I decided to pursue a life-long hobby gardening. This wholesale change wasn't as difficult as I imagined it would be, in large part due to the learning environment at Kwantlen. I was able to benefit from the knowledge and experience of excellent instructors, while learning in small classes that encouraged discussion and understanding. Combining this with a mature student's more disciplined, more experienced perspective, I was not only able to learn but also to contribute by being class representative and founding president of the student landscape club. Then to have the two years topped off by receiving the Governor General's Academic Medal was icing on the cake.
Since graduating, I have had the opportunity to do some landscape designing and to consult on a number of issues in BC horticulture including strategic planning, horticulture trades training, and the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.
Greg Sims, Graduate of 2004 Received the Governor General's Academic Medal at Kwantlen University College. Considered the highest academic honour Kwantlen can offer.
Atlantic Canada's Superintendent of the Year
Mike Kearns Grad. of Turf Management, is currently working at the Crown Isle Golf Club, Courtenay, BC. as a Superintendent.