Professor emeritus wins Award of Design Influence

Jena Oh, first place overall individual SAIFD Design Competition; Ralph Null, Award of Distinction, Professor Emeritus PSS, MSU; Lynette McDougald, SAIFD Advisor.

Starkville, Miss. - Mississippi State , Ralph Null, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, was given the American Institute of Floral Designer's most prestigious Award of Design Influence at its national symposium in Palm Desert, CA on July 9, 2007.  AIFD is the floral industry’s leading non-profit organization committed to establishing and maintaining higher standards in professional floral design. 

Null, the founder of the floral management program at MSU, becomes only the 7th person to receive this honor in the institute's 42 year history.  The Award of Design Influence is to recognize floral designers whose creative work over the years has significantly and positively influenced the direction of American floral design.

"Null's design style termed 'creative naturalism' uses plant materials from the landscape in combination with commercially grown flowers to create designs.", said Lynette McDougald, AIFD.   McDougald, instructor of floral management at MSU and former student of Null’s, represented MSU at the award ceremony in Palm Desert.  " Often we take our southern plants for granted or think they are too common, but Ralph’s style validates their use in our industry.”

MSU is one of the few universities in the U.S. to offer a degree in floral management.  While The University Florist is a commercial enterprise, it serves as a teaching laboratory for students in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences seeking specialized training.  

June 17, 2007