LYNNWOOD — Edmonds Community College instructor Walt Bubelis will retire after 40 years of service. Bubelis, 68, of Seattle, began teaching at the college in 1967 as the college’s first horticulture instructor.
Horticulture is one of the college’s longest running programs and instructor Walt Bubelis has been there from the start. During his tenure, he taught courses, advised students, hired new faculty, led the department, and created new programs and classes.
A reception in Bubelis’ honor will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 4, in the lobby of Brier Hall. More than 100 horticulture alumni plan to attend.
Alumnus John Christianson, owner of Christianson’s Nursery and Greenhouse in Mount Vernon for 20 years, will speak at the reception. Christianson enrolled at Edmonds Community College in 1979 after Bubelis gave a presentation to his horticulture class at Nathan Hale High School. He went on to earn a nursery management degree.
“(Walt) was the inspiration for me to enter the program and taught all the core classes that were key to being a horticulture professional,” Christianson said. “Those classes were vital to my professional success. It was fortuitous that I met Walt Bubelis. He was supportive of me throughout the program.”
Under Bubelis’ leadership, Edmonds Community College’s horticulture program has earned the respect of professionals in the industry throughout the Pacific Northwest. Graduates of the college’s program have gone on to develop award-winning businesses and become leaders in the field. Alumni have also served as leaders of major horticulture professional organizations in the area.
Among his accomplishments, Bubelis was instrumental in securing and maintaining the quality greenhouse on campus to enhance horticulture classes. The greenhouse serves as a science lab and produces plants for the college grounds and community plant sales. Bubelis received the Echelbarger-Sherman Excellence in Teaching award in 2002-2003 from the Edmonds Community College Foundation.
Well-known as an expert in his field, Bubelis has published numerous articles in horticulture journals. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Wabash College in Indiana in 1964 and his master’s degree in botany in 1968 from the University of Washington.
In retirement, Bubelis has plans to remodel his house and garden and travel to Greece and Turkey this fall with Dona, his wife of 44 years.
“I do want to take various classes in painting and woodworking, attend more cultural events, read, hike, cook — and even slip back to Edmonds Community College to teach some short classes once in awhile,” Bubelis said.
In May, the Edmonds Community College Board of Trustees formally recognized Bubelis for his service and strong contribution to the academic excellence of the college.
A horticulture scholarship will be established in Bubelis’ name through the Edmonds Community College Foundation. To contribute, call 425-.640-1274 or e-mail foundation@edcc.edu.
To learn more about the horticulture program, call 425-640-1739, e-mail horticulture@edcc.edu, or go to www.edcc.edu/hort.
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