OGIA SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT

BY SARA CANTEES

Seth Glazer is a 2022 Phil Kozel Memorial Scholarship recipient. He is attending Columbus State Community College and working towards a degree in Landscape Design & Management.

Growing up in Huntington, West Virginia, Seth had a love for the outdoors that has stayed with him ever since. From hiking in the woods to playing games and riding bikes, his childhood memories are filled with adventure and fun. However, it was his passion for building an outdoor landscaping oasis at the edge of their woods that truly sparked his interest in pursuing a career in the green industry.

At the age of nine, he visited a home and garden show with his grandpa and picked up a brochure from a landscape company. The brochure featured stunning outdoor spaces with gazebos, ponds, retaining walls, and outdoor kitchens that left him amazed. It was then that he realized he could pursue a career creating these types of outdoor spaces. Since then, he has been drawn to the design-build area of the green industry, where he can be involved in every facet of the project.

Throughout his journey, he has had the support of mentors who have taught him about landscape design and the business side of design build. He has also expressed himself creatively through music, playing the trumpet in high school and still playing for fun whenever he can.

In his free time, he enjoys swimming, hiking, bike riding, and spending time with friends and family. In 10 years, he sees himself running a successful design-build company specializing in anything outdoors.

When asked what he would say to someone considering a career in the green industry, he encourages them to pursue it if they love being creative and want a career that is unique. “The industry has a place for many people, and there are so many directions to go in and enjoy what you do,” said Seth.

More importantly, he hopes to be remembered as someone who had a passion for the industry and made the world a more beautiful place. He also hopes to inspire others to treat everyone with kindness, no matter what industry they find themselves in.

Seth’s passion for the outdoors and love for creating beautiful outdoor spaces has driven him to pursue a career in the green industry. With the support of mentors and the desire to inspire kindness, he hopes to leave his mark on the world by making it a more beautiful and compassionate place.