Innovators at Work: How Fox Valley Tech is adapting to historic times with inventive solutions for students and efforts that uplift our community.     

 

TLC for Green Friends     

At the outset of the state’s Stay-At-Home order regarding COVID-19, Fox Valley Tech joined other Wisconsin universities, colleges, and K-12 schools in developing innovative ways to keep the education wheel turning for students. In the midst of transitioning a lot of instruction to online formats, buildings were closed until further notice.

Left inside the Appleton campus and adjacent facilities but not forgotten were a collection of nearly 200 plants. With uncertainties surrounding the regular care of these plants, the Horticulture department rescued them under the leadership of Instructor Roxanne Rusch-Olesen. She teamed up with students and instructional colleague Chuck Stangel to bring the plants to the program’s central greenhouse at the Service Motor Company Agriculture Center.

There, a wide variety of greens have received a therapeutic re-awakening and loving care from Olesen. “This diverse collection provides a welcoming look to many of our main campus spaces while helping reduce air pollutants and stress,” says Olesen. She and her team members plan to return the plants to their original homes once the coronavirus restrictions allow her to do so.