- Degree: Bachelor (Fall 2021)
- Advisor: Ms. Julieta Sherk
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lockerosser/
What was your degree(s) or focus?
Horticultural Science with a concentration in Landscape Design, Gardens, and Urban Environments
How are you planning to use your degree?
I plan to design landscapes for homeowners, communities, and cities that incorporate native plants, grading and drainage, and ornamental plants that mimic the natural environment. I would like to provide clients with solutions that benefit wildlife and contribute to the local ecosystem while still being engaging and aesthetically pleasing.
Whom do you want to thank?
Julieta Sherk and Anne Spafford have taught me so much about landscape design and the plethora of uses for plants in every type of space. Their experience and knowledge have allowed me to grasp the design process and form my own style of work.
What is the best thing about studying horticulture at NC State?
We have access to the JC Raulston Arboretum, Horticulture Field labs, and facilities that provide students with so many resources to promots hands on learning and plant identification.
Clubs and Activities
Alpha Phi Omega service organization
Do you have plans for after graduation? Are you currently working?
I will be starting as a landscape designer at Kiefer Landscaping in January 2022.
Advisor Comments (Ms. Julie Sherk):
Locke is an outstanding student and human being. He enjoys learning, and goes out of his way to take a deeper dive into all his work.
Locke was part of the group of students who had to navigate COVID. During spring 2020, he was in the Grading and Drainage class with me, which was the only class that was held face to face in Kilgore hall. He and his classmates showed tenacity, responsibility, and resilience in wearing masks, keeping social distance, using hand sanitizer and emotionally navigating the stressful time, while continuing to learn and apply new concepts and supporting each other. Locke has many friends and is dedicated to them.
Locke has 4.0 GPA in his major and was always at the top of all the classes he took with me. He came to us as an accomplished artist, and used those skills to enhance all his design approaches and communications. He was inspired to create a painting of a landscape topic, which was bought, by one of our visiting design professors.
Locke took extra interest in the Design/Build class project of building the Kilgore Hall raingardens, and did an outstanding independent study to evaluate and document the maintenance practices necessary to make it a long term success.
Locke is admired at the JC Raulston Arboretum for his work as an intern there. He is a keen plantsman. He is passionate about the natural environment and how humans interact with their surroundings.
I will miss my deep design and planning discussions with Locke. He is reserved, bright, a natural artist, a clear communicator, and a dedicated student. I know he will be a great success in his future career in the profession!