Penn College News

Floral design students end semester in burst of creativity

Sunday, May 8, 2022

Thirteen students of Karen R. Ruhl, horticulture instructor and last year's recipient of a Part-Time Teaching Excellence Award, recently completed their final projects at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center – all in one day of real-time accomplishment – and displayed them at The Madigan Library. Helen L. Yoas, librarian for metadata and discovery initiatives (and whose duties as liaison librarian to the School of Engineering Technologies include the Diesel Technology & Natural Resources Division), captured the students' imaginative spirit and also photographed the completed work once installed and appreciated on the library's first floor. Ruhl's The Art of Floral Design (HRT 260), a popular elective, is open to all academic majors.



... before its transport for prominent display in the library.

... before its transport for prominent display in the library.

"L" is for "Larissa" - Larissa Jolene Ealy, that is. The baking & pastry arts student from Jonestown poses with her creation at the ESC ...

... a towering accent to the Madigan milieu.

... a towering accent to the Madigan milieu.

Ruhl and Josephina R. Hanzel, a baking & pastry arts student from Wellsville, confer on the latter's

Ruhl and Josephina R. Hanzel, a baking & pastry arts student from Wellsville, confer on the latter's "waterfall" creation ...

Ikebana, a centuries-old Japanese art of flower arrangement, is expressed in the work of Ares L. Henriquez, from Williamsport. He is enrolled in the college's human services & restorative justice major.

Ikebana, a centuries-old Japanese art of flower arrangement, is expressed in the work of Ares L. Henriquez, from Williamsport. He is enrolled in the college's human services & restorative justice major.

This

This "garden armature" design was created by Ashley J. Hoffer, of Manheim, an applied management student.

Arranged by Samantha Jo Holdren, of Virginia Beach, Va., this

Arranged by Samantha Jo Holdren, of Virginia Beach, Va., this "crescent" arrangement – including feathers and antlers, appropriate to the ESC's natural surroundings – provides a keyhole peek at the bookshelves beyond. Holdren is no stranger to the Allenwood area campus; she is majoring in landscape/plant production technology.

Danielle M. Johnson, an applied management student from Garnet Valley, crafted this eye-grabbing example of a

Danielle M. Johnson, an applied management student from Garnet Valley, crafted this eye-grabbing example of a "floral mobile."

... which strikingly adds to the end-of-semester display on main campus. Kaufman is pursuing an associate degree in heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis.

... which strikingly adds to the end-of-semester display on main campus. Kaufman is pursuing an associate degree in heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis.

Bodie John Kaufman, of Montoursville, finalizes his

Bodie John Kaufman, of Montoursville, finalizes his "horizontal Hogarth" design ...

A Biedermeier-styled floral orb rises from the display table, the work of another heavy equipment operations student: Sadie Louise Miller, of Mill Hall.

A Biedermeier-styled floral orb rises from the display table, the work of another heavy equipment operations student: Sadie Louise Miller, of Mill Hall.

Sierra Kay Page gives peace a chance in her

Sierra Kay Page gives peace a chance in her "pavé" arrangement, one in which flowers are tightly trimmed and placed very closely together. Page, of Morrisdale, is a health science student.

... which makes a strong statement on the library tabletop.

... which makes a strong statement on the library tabletop.

The Ephrata resident's major – building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration – can't help but add to his structurally sound artwork.

The Ephrata resident's major – building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration – can't help but add to his structurally sound artwork.

Amid a row of busy hands and masterpieces-in-progress, Grant W. Schaeffer's

Amid a row of busy hands and masterpieces-in-progress, Grant W. Schaeffer's "cage" arrangement takes shape.

Josh James Smith calls it

Josh James Smith calls it "abstract," and we call it "beautiful." The electronics & computer engineering technology student is from Whitehall.

A

A "phoenix" arrangement by business administration student Owen Robert Smith, of Montgomery, erupts in splendor alongside his classmates' artistry.

Back at the floral lab, Alicia Passmore, of Houtzdale, peers through her

Back at the floral lab, Alicia Passmore, of Houtzdale, peers through her "armature" design ...