Contact: Maridith Geuder
An annual conference of state florists is making plans to honor a Mississippi State professor emeritus for contributions to the industry.
Ralph Null of Columbus, who taught at the university 1967-92, will be recognized June 1-3 during the 2001 Mississippi Florist Association convention at MSU.
"Although the conference is several months away, we're encouraging former students especially to register now for this special event," said Jim Del Prince, assistant professor in the university's retail floristry program and a former MFA officer.
Null, currently chairman of the American Institute of Floral Designers Foundation Inc., was selected several times while at MSU to help decorate the White House and other Washington, D.C., locations for seasonal events. During his years on the faculty, Null also became an internationally recognized lecturer on floral designs.
He continues an active speaking schedule around the United States and is the coordinator of an annual holiday floral design show to benefit Camp Rising Sun, a Columbus-based camp for children 6-14 who have cancer.
Among other events scheduled during the three-day MFA event are presentations on floral design, a wedding program in the university's Chapel of Memories and a workshop on Southern-style floral arrangements.
For more information on the conference, contact Craig Helmuth of Tupelo-based Magnolia Wholesale Florists at 1-800-844-6867.