Arlen D. Davison - 1955

Co-founder, Master Gardener program

During Arlen Davison's 28 years at Washington State University, he served as legislative liaison to the Washington Legislature for the College of Agriculture and Home Economics, and as chair of the Department of Plant Pathology.

Before joining the faculty at Washington State University, Davison earned a B.S in agronomy (1955) and an M.S. in plant pathology (1956) from the University of Wyoming, as well as a Ph.D. in plant pathology from Oregon State University (1962).

Perhaps his most notable accomplishment was the co-founding, with four of his colleagues from the extension educator program at Washington State University, of the Master Gardener program, through which avid gardeners are provided with horticulture training in exchange for volunteer horticulture training in their own communities. The Master Program is now operating within extension programs at universities in all 50 states and parts of Canada.

Photos courtesy of UW College of Agriculture and American Heritage Center