Any student, visitor, parent or employee who has marveled at the beauty of the Southeast Missouri State University campus has Kristin Ham to thank.
Kristin can often be found on her hands and knees dutifully digging in the dirt to either pull out a plant whose color has withered and faded, or planting something that will produce vivid displays of blossoms for special events on campus such as Homecoming, Opening Week and Family Weekend.
Kristin is a horticulturalist on campus in the Facilities Management department who is responsible for designing, planting and maintaining flower and rose beds at Southeast. She has been employed at Southeast for 13 years and recently was honored with a 2010 Employee Recognition Award representing the Bargaining Unit.
“Sometimes she’s working to create the dome logo at the corner of Normal and Henderson with red and white geraniums, or she’s replacing the last of the impatiens behind Academic Hall with winter poppies,” said Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University. “Where ever she goes on the 328 acres of the main campus, she is creating beauty or assisting with making this an aesthetically pleasing campus which makes our visitors and prospective students feel welcome.”
Kristin says she approaches her work at a steady, organized pace.
“I enjoy working outdoors, meeting people and talking about flowers,” she said. “I like spring best when I can dig in the soil and plant flowers.”
Kristin found her calling after first earning a bachelor of arts degree in history and German from the College of the Ozarks. She went on to pursue a master’s degree but decided that area of study was not suited to her. During a two-year hiatus, she learned about a horticulture program at East Central College where she went on to earn an associate’s degree in horticulture.
“I grew up on a farm, working outdoors with plants,” she said. “I learned that I could make a profession of something I enjoy.”
The following year, she continued her education at Southeast Missouri State University, where she earned a bachelor of science degree with a major in agriculture, horticulture option. During this time, she worked as a student/temporary employee. Kristin said she learned “this was a place with a good future.”
Over the past 13 years, Kristin recalls her favorite Southeast moments as those when she was asked to help design the landscape plan for the then new Facilities Management Service Center and being promoted from gardener to horticulturist.
“I enjoy living and working in Cape Girardeau,” said Kristin, a St. Clair, Mo., native. “I love my job. After 13 years, I still feel that I actually get paid for having fun.”
Outside of work, Kristin says she enjoys camping, fishing, reading, needle work and watching sports – baseball, football, basketball and hockey. She also devotes much of her time to Optimist International, a civic organization devoted to helping children in local communities. She is a member of the Cape Girardeau Evening Optimist Club and has served as its president, lieutenant governor, secretary, chair of the local tree lot and co-chair of its Boys’ Basketball League. She says she plans to travel to the Annual Optimist International Convention next summer.
In addition to her volunteer work with the Optimists, Kristin says she enjoys a variety of literature, including westerns, science fiction, adventure and suspense. Someday, she hopes to travel to Ireland, Great Britain and Germany.
“I think international travel would be fun,” she said.
She adds, “Dream your dreams because they really can come true. I started life in Cape as a student. After college, I worked as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, ticket taker at the Show Me Center, custodian and seasonal grounds maintenance worker. I did these jobs while waiting for a full-time position to open up at SEMO. Faith, family, friends, dreams and hope are important in my life."