Page 15 - CFANS Graduate Commencement 2023 Program

Guest Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Peter Moe (BS ’75 Horticulture, MS ’82 Agriculture)
Peter Moe retired this year as director of the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (fondly referred to as the “Arb”) after almost 50 years with the organization He started at the Arb in 1973 as a U of M student gardener, and was hired as a research plot technician at the Arb’s Horticultural Research Center (HRC) following graduation from the Horticultural Science Department at CFANS After two years at the HRC, Moe was hired by the Arb’s founding director, Leon Snyder, as Arboretum landscape maintenance supervisor While working at the Arb, Moe went on to receive his master’s degree in agriculture from CFANS in 1981 The Arb is a signature destination for nearly 450,000 visitors annually, with more than 30,000 member households Throughout the years, Moe worked with every Arb director and was involved with the design, construction, and planting of many plant collections, gardens, buildings, and facilities across the Arb He led the design, fundraising, and construction of the Horticulture and Operations Headquarters (including two new greenhouses), the Farm at the Arb, and the complete replacement of many 40-year- old garden structures During Moe’s tenure, the Arb expanded to 1,200 acres and experienced significant growth in membership, attendance, earned income, and philanthropy Today, the Arb is one of the premier public gardens in the U S , and is one of only a few gardens with world-class fruit and landscape breeding programs His expertise working in rare plant conservation and the evaluation and selection of plants for the northern U S has been invaluable to the Arb’s growth and success
He has positioned the Arb to provide enjoyment, excitement, and education for generations of Minnesotans to come
Alumni Speaker
David Pascoe (PhD ’08, Nutrition; President, CFANS Alumni Society Board of Directors)
David is currently employed as a nutritionist at RPMG Inc Since graduation, he has stayed highly involved with the University and has contributed to various college programs and events He has served as a mentor in the CFANS Mentor Program for 10 years As a board member, David hopes to continue supporting the Mentor Program, promote CFANS student development, and grow sponsorship efforts.
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