Spring is probably one of the best times of the year for Emma Franklin, who is pursuing a degree in horticulture at Southeast. Originally from Poplar Bluff, Mo., Emma loves to spend time walking the streets of historic downtown Cape Girardeau and admiring the serene beauty of the buildings and riverfront.
If Emma isn’t collecting wildflowers or autumn leaves from her hikes in the woods, you can find her working at Southeast’s greenhouse under the supervision of Denise Pingel. Emma thoroughly enjoys working with Denise, and she loves having a job that involves horticulture.
Working at the greenhouse is just part of what Emma feels has contributed to her success at Southeast. The time she spends in class and in the greenhouse have prepared Emma to eventually pursue a master’s degree in natural medicine or herbal-healing studies after graduation.
“My time at Southeast includes both my class time and my ‘work’ time,” Emma says. “I really feel that all the things I’m learning at Southeast are contributing towards many different aspects of my life, in my school work, career work and my social time.”
Hands-on experience at Southeast took Emma on her internship last summer to Delores, Colo., to work at an organic flower farm. She also spends much of her time in the Southeast Department of Agriculture.
“Everyone in the department is so very patient, supportive and encouraging,” she says, “especially Iris.”
If Emma isn’t growing plants, doing drum circle, or spending time with friends, she is taking yoga lessons once a week at Centenary Methodist Church with the Yoga East Yoga Studio. She also is heavily involved with the Southeast Missouri Peace and Justice Coalition. Emma says she has learned much from volunteering with this group to provide help wherever it is needed.
“I am learning so much about how life is really meant to be,” Emma said. “Because it [life] is not that way, I’m learning where effort can be made to make the needed changes that are so desperately needed.”
Emma is thankful for the time she has spent on the campus of Southeast, and for the endless opportunities she has explored through her love of life and horticulture. Her best advice for future Southeast studentsᾰdream, love, dance, smile, and enjoy all the campus and life has to offer.