Bryce H. and Susanna M. Lane Horticultural Science Student Travel Endowment
Bryce H. Lane, retired Lecturer, Undergraduate Coordinator, and NC State University Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor, grew up in Western Massachusetts and there discovered his passion for plants and telling others about them.
After earning his B.S. in Plant Science from the University of Massachusetts in 1979 and an M.S. in Horticulture from The Ohio State University in 1981, he came to the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University as a Lecturer in both the two-year and four-year programs. He became the Undergraduate Coordinator for the department in 1987 and served in that role until he retired. Bryce also served as the Interim Director of the JC Raulston Arboretum from 1997-1999.
Bryce taught both large and small courses, for majors and non-majors. In the past 32+ years, he taught more than 20,000 students. Bryce also served as academic advisor for hundreds of students and for departmental organizations such as the Horticulture Club. He organized and led students on countless field trips and national competitions throughout the country and an annual international field trip exposing students to horticulture all over the world. Coining the phrase “learning by discovery” Bryce hopes that this endowment will provide encouragement – and financial support – for students to enhance their educationtravelingling.
He has received numerous local, regional, and national teaching awards and is frequently invited to speak at workshops and symposia about teaching as well as horticulture and gardening. He hosted and produced an Emmy-winning public television show. Most importantly, he has been married for nearly 40 years to his high school sweetheart, the former Susanna Kummerle. Susanna worked as a stay-at-home-mom until their daughters went to school. She then earned her degree in Nursing from Wake Technical Community College, and was employed at Rex Hospital for 10 years as a cardiac nurse. The couple are now retired and enjoying spending time with their grandchildren.