Holly Scoggins honored with emerita status

Holly Scoggins, associate professor of plant and environmental studies and former director of the Hahn Horticulture Garden in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of associate professor emerita by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The emerita title may be conferred on retired professors, associate professors, and administrative officers who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.

A member of the Virginia Tech faculty since 1999, Scoggins shared her expertise on ornamental plant production, landscape practices, and hops at the local, state, and national level, giving numerous presentations and serving on boards and committees of green industry and gardening organizations. She authored or co-authored more than 125 peer-reviewed journal articles, books, book chapters, conference proceedings, and Extension publications and received grants for research on floriculture and food crops totaling more than $360,000.

Scoggins also served Virginia Tech and the broader community as director of the Hahn Horticulture Garden from 2002 to 2014, overseeing its expansion from 1.5 to 7 acres of teaching and outreach gardens and the construction of the Peggy Lee Hahn Garden Pavilion.

In the classroom, Scoggins developed and taught undergraduate horticulture courses in greenhouse management, herbaceous landscape plants, ornamental plant production and marketing, plant propagation, and public garden maintenance and management, placing a strong emphasis on experiential student learning and preparation for careers in the green industry. She directed 15 students and advised 20 students on Master of Science and doctoral degrees, and helped many advance and develop successful careers.

Scoggins received many honors and awards, including Professional of the Year from Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association, an academic award from the National Perennial Plant Association, a teaching award from the Virginia Tech chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture, a Certificate of Teaching Excellence from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the G. Burke Johnston Teaching Award from Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society.

Scoggins received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Georgia and Ph.D. from North Carolina State University.

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