Terry L. Ferriss

P Alpha Xi Fellow 2000
Chi 12

Professor of Horticulture and Assistant Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences, University of Wisconsin—River Falls (UWRF), Terry Ferriss is named Fellow of Pi Alpha Xi for her service to the organization and her dedication to excellence in horticultural teaching. Dr. Ferriss was initiated into the Chi Chapter in 1975 as a charter member. Subsequently, she served as President of the Lambda Chapter and in 1985 founded the Alpha-Theta Chapter. She has served as Vice President and President of Pi Alpha Xi National.

Dr. Ferriss received her BS in horticulture from Colorado State University and her MS and PhD in horticulture from the University of Minnesota. Her current position is 75% teaching and 25% administrative. She teaches Introduction to Horticulture, Herbaceous Perennials, Greenhouse Management, Cooperative Education and Internship, Floriculture Production, and Senior Seminar in Horticulture. As assistant dean she serves as director of the college’s Cooperative Education and Internship Program.

Dr. Ferriss was the 1998 recipient of the Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences Award sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC). In recognition of her educational approach and her professional accomplishments, she has received numerous awards and honors, including, but not limited to, the American Society for Horticultural Sciences’ Outstanding Undergraduate Educator Award, the Pi Alpha Xi Woody Kalin Award, the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation’s Bronze Award, her College’s Outstanding Teacher Award, and her University’s Distinguished Teacher Award.

Through her teaching in UWRF’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Dr. Ferriss focuses on helping students become competent professionals who will shape the future of the profession. Throughout her career, she has been actively involved in curriculum development. During her nearly 21 years as a faculty member, she has developed five new horticulture classes as well as an “Introduction to Horticulture” class to be offered as a distance education course through the college’s Extended Degree Program. She has incorporated the use of technology and computers into her courses including use of computerized greenhouse environmental control and landscaping systems, as well as computerized production and cost analysis systems.

Dr. Ferris is dedicated to serving her students. She advises 30-35 undergraduates annually, serves as Faculty Coordinator for 12-25 students per year on horticultural internships, plans and coordinates student trips to industry meetings, advises the UWRF Horticulture Society, advises the UWRF chapter of Pi Alpha Xi, advises her college’s Student Advisory Council, and coaches the UWRF Floral Quality Evaluation Team.

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