history

In 1967 the fledgling American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) developed an ambitious plan – to hold the nation’s first symposium as a professional, credentialing organization that would spotlight the trends in American floral art.  Such an event required many hands and the location of the symposium, Cal Poly, provided the answer in the form of college floral design students, but before these students could be asked to participate as “go-fers”, they first needed to form an AIFD recognized chapter.  Bob Gordon, a faculty member at Cal Poly, was tasked with forming the first SAIFD chapter under Cal Poly and AIFD guidelines.  The new SAIFD members attended the first symposium, serving as the extra hands and feet for the symposium designers and organizers.  The rest is history as 14 chapters eventually chartered throughout the United States at institutions of higher learning.  The Forsythe Chapter at Texas A&M University was chartered in 1979 and remains a strong presence within the department of Horticulture and on campus today.

            Ken Senter, Aggie graduate, class of ’75, saw the value of AIFD professionalism in the floral industry and underwent the rigorous process of becoming AIFD credentialed. After being inducted into AIFD, he offered to become the first advisor to SAIFD at Texas A&M University, knowing that the floral design students at his alma mater would be introduced to unparalleled opportunities within the world of floral art through AIFD networking, symposium experiences, and career paths.  The same year that the Forsythe Chapter was chartered (1979), floral instructor and Benz Endowed Chair holder Jim Johnson was also inducted into AIFD.  Mr. Johnson would go on to serve as Texas A&M University’s SAIFD advisor for the next 32 years, taking countless students to national symposiums for educational and travel experiences. During many of those years, Mr. Johnson was assisted by SAIFD co-advisor Ann Boney, the Benz School of Floral Design administrative assistant who not only advised, but mentored many Aggies over the years.  In 1981, Bill McKinley came to Texas A&M University to attain his graduate degree, and it was through his association with Jim Johnson that Bill became involved with SAIFD, later testing and becoming a member of AIFD.  Both Jim Johnson and Bill McKinley have been recognized by the AIFD National Board of Directors for their outstanding work in the industry.  Their commitment to the education of Aggie floral designers has made this program well respected among colleges and universities, as well as throughout the industry.  Incidentally, Ken Senter AIFD and Jim Johnson AIFD still remain active supporters of the Forsythe Chapter of SAIFD at Texas A&M University, giving design programs for the students and affording them opportunities to learn from floral artists from around the world.  Bill McKinley AIFD returned to his Aggie roots, following Jim Johnson’s retirement, to become the senior lecturer for the floral design program at TAMU, as well as the Benz Endowed Chair holder/director of the Benz School of Floral Design. 

            The Texas A&M University Forsythe Chapter of SAIFD was named for Ada Forsythe, an avid gardener and friend of M. “Buddy” Benz, the latter, having bequeathed his estate to TAMU for the establishment of a permanent floral design curriculum within the department of Horticulture through the Texas A&M Foundation.  The Forsythe chapter flower is the yellow Fuji chrysanthemum and, like all SAIFD chapters, it has an official tartan and Scottish name.  Students must adhere to a stringent set of requirements for membership and participation at symposiums. In the early years, students of the Forsythe Chapter at TAMU made a name for themselves as the football mum designers on campus.  Each home football game week, SAIFD students met to create traditional football mums for sale on campus.  In the spring of 1981, Texas A&M University was the host for the AIFD South Regional Symposium, and it was then that the chapter made a name for itself nationally under the guidance of Jim Johnson AIFD.  Since then, the chapter has remained busy both on campus and around the state.  They decorated the State Capitol Rotunda for the reception honoring James Harvey Johnson as Texas Artist of the Year, created special pieces for Barbara Bush to welcome her to College Station for the groundbreaking of the Bush Library, and designed for the opening dedication of the Bush Presidential Library, as well as many more events over the years.  More recently, Forsythe members assisted current SAIFD advisor and Benz Endowed Chair holder Bill McKinley AIFD in installing floral designs for the State Visit of HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium to Texas A&M University.  They participated in designing centerpieces for the final night President’s Gala at the AIFD National Symposium in Anaheim, CA.  In 2017, SAIFD Forsythe members attending symposium created and presented their designs during the mainstage program of Louisa Lam AIFD, while in 2018, TAMU floral students designed on-stage during the “Flower Shop of the Future” program presented by Vonda LaFever AIFD.  SAIFD student competitors consistently do well during the competition held annually at the AIFD National Symposium, demonstrating their skills in design, mechanics, artistry and principles and elements.  They are often requested as assistants in the design room and for functions at symposium, and in true Aggie spirit, their greetings at symposium stand out with an exuberant “Howdy!”. 

            The SAIFD presence is felt far closer to home as their design work is often on display throughout Aggieland under the leadership of Bill McKinley AIFD and the student officers. Several Kyle Field suites are decorated by SAIFD students for each home football game with each suite featuring a different theme and style, including the suites of President Young and Chancellor Sharp, among others.  Large functions at Reed Arena, as well as smaller events around campus, often boast the beauty of SAIFD floral designs.  Outreach is an important Aggie focus, and the SAIFD organization has a busy calendar with “Blooms Over Brazos”, a student-run program that supports nonprofits through the awareness of floral aesthetics.  A favorite stop with Blooms Over Brazos is Compassionate Care Hospice. The SAIFD students design small centerpieces that are then delivered by the nurses on their rounds.  Another non-profit supported by SAIFD through flowers is the Aggieland Humane Society.  It’s not uncommon to find SAIFD students doing design programs for other organizations on campus, around the community, or designing flowers for their churches.

              SAIFD may have originated as a means for extra hands at a symposium, but it has evolved into a dynamic force for the future of the floral industry.  SAIFD students across the nation are well educated, informed and inspired designers by the time they step into the industry with many of them going on to receive their Certified Floral Designer (CFD) or American Institute of Floral Designer (AIFD) credentials. Texas A&M University is an artistically richer, more aesthetically beautiful campus because of these talented young floral designers.