Harold Blazier with Jada Kiner, a Psychology and Pre-Physical therapy student, taking cuttings from and trims coleus plants.
Harold Blazier, Greenhouse Manager in Environmental & Plant Biology, was selected for the College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding Staff Award for 2015-16.
Blazier was nominated by Dr. Morgan Vis, Professor and department chair, and others from the department and beyond for his outstanding work as the greenhouse manager. The department has high praise for him. as he has given generously of his time, expertise, and creative energy to support the teaching, research, and outreach missions of the department for the past 26 years.
Blazier maintains roughly 5,000 plants, which are used in more than 20 courses.
“The man has a gift for growing anything, and so has taught others to propagate the oddest and coolest plants imaginable, including the Namibian desert specialty Welwitschia mirabilis, a plant resembling something from a sci-fi movie that has a huge taproot and two long strap-shaped leaves,” says Dr. Harvey Ballard, Associate Professor. “Harold worked out how to propagate that one with a long stretch of PVC pipe housing the taproot and taught others to do so.”
Blazier not only contributes to the teaching mission of the department, but also to the research and community engagement missions. His horticultural expertise is significant for supporting department research. He advises faculty and students on the implementation, modification, or creation of protocols for numerous research projects in the department’s greenhouse, growth chambers and garden.
The Ohio University Greenhouse is a focal point for engaging with the broader community. Blazier receives about 500 drop-in visitors each year at the greenhouse. Additionally, he schedules tours and activities for local schools, home school groups, Girl and Cub Scouts, Athens Master Gardeners, Herb Guild, and Garden Club, to name a few. Within the University, the greenhouse is a popular venue for drawing and film classes, RAs with their dorm students, Upward Bound, and Kids on Campus.
Harold Blazier answers Owen Poteet’s questions about the specializations of a Nepenthes plant. Poteet is a plant biology major and volunteers at the greenhouse.
Maybe more important than his plant expertise, Blazier has had such a positive influence in the lives of many students. Students who have worked with Harold recount stories of his patience, guidance, mentorship and friendship.
“Thanks to his instruction and reference, I was accepted into the yearlong internship program at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA, as a Greenhouse Production Intern immediately following graduation,” said alum Ryan Kniola ’15. “I owe my accomplishments so far to his supportive directive, cheery disposition, and iron-like patience as he shaped me into the young professional I am today.”
Graduate alum Keith Gilland ’13Ph.D., now a visiting professor at Miami University, discussed the skills that Blazier passed on to him.
“In my current position, I advise a botany student organization and have used the plant propagation techniques I learned informally from regularly interacting with Harold to teach the students how to propagate and care for many common indoor plants. Passing on these skills to the botany club members has enabled them to hold fundraising workshops and propagate plants that they sell to raise funds for club activities.”
“Harold is one of a kind,” Vis added. “The Department of Environmental and Plant Biology is very lucky to have him for everything he does. I am so pleased that he was selected for this award that he very much deserves.”
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