AFE Honors Will Carlson with Memorial Tribute

A Memorial Tribute has been established within the American Floral Endowment honoring Dr. Will Carlson, who died Jan. 20, 2010, in East Lansing, Mich. The tribute was established by Jack Van Namen of Vans Inc., a long-time friend and former student of Carlson.

Born Aug. 20, 1941, Carlson was a Professor Emeritus of Floriculture at Michigan State University for 36 years where he earned the Distinguished Faculty Designation in 1995. During his tenure he published more than 35 scientific articles and 400 popular articles on physiology of ornamental floriculture crops. He taught more than 1,500 undergraduate students, 40 graduate students, 30,000 students in Extension courses and maintained a popular column in a trade magazine for more than three decades.

Carlson established and served as the faculty coordinator for the Michigan Master Gardener program that trained more than 10,000 master gardeners. He was responsible for establishing the Horticultural Demonstration Gardens and was the past Chairperson of the MSU Garden Consortium. He helped establish the Professional Plant Growers Association, was a director of the Garden Writers Association and lectured to garden groups throughout the country.

He earned many industry accolades, including the Floriculture Hall of Fame from the Society of American Florists and the Marc Cathy Award from the American Horticultural Society.

Contributions to the Will Carlson Memorial Tribute should be mailed to:

American Floral Endowment c/o Will Carlson Memorial Tribute 1601 Duke St. Alexandria, VA 22314

Memorial tributes are a way to remember and honor industry members, family and friends in a special and lasting manner. A $1,000 contribution establishes a tribute. Once established, contributions can be made in any amount.