SUNY Potsdam Holds Ribboncutting Ceremony for WISER Botanical Garden, Made Possible by Bob Wagner ’75 & Wendy Lee Wagner (Hon. ’17)
SUNY Potsdam students Kendyll Mack ’28 and Jasmine Crump smile at Bob Wagner ’75 during a ribbon cutting ceremony outside the WISER Greenhouse. The two students worked closely with WISER staff and the Wagners to oversee the installation of the new WISER Botanical Garden. (Photo by Elijah Blaunt '28)
SUNY Potsdam officially celebrated the opening of the new WISER Botanical Gardens on Friday, Oct. 23, with a ribboncutting ceremony recognizing the generosity and vision of supporters Robert “Bob” Wagner ’75 and Wendy Lee Wagner (Hon. ’17), whose leadership gift helped make the project possible.
Held at the new gardens adjacent to the Wagner Institute for Sustainability and Ecological Resilience (WISER), the ceremony brought together campus leaders, students, alumni, donors and community members to mark the completion of a project designed to expand hands-on learning opportunities while creating a new outdoor space for exploration, education and community engagement.
The gardens build on the success of the WISER Greenhouse, which opened approximately a decade ago, extending opportunities for experiential learning beyond the greenhouse walls, and into a living landscape of native plants and ecological features.
“Never in my wildest imagination would I have thought that we could have created something so beautiful,” Bob Wagner said. “We set out in 2022 with two main concepts: to design a garden that would be enjoyed as an outdoor space by the campus and community, and to design a garden space to be used as an outdoor resource laboratory, where faculty can teach students about native plant communities and the pollinators that use them. I believe this will become the preeminent native species botanical garden of the North Country.”
Learn more: Wagner Institute for Sustainability and Ecological Research (WISER) at SUNY Potsdam
The new WISER Botanical Gardens will provide outdoor learning opportunities for students studying sustainability, ecology and environmental stewardship, while also serving as a welcoming destination for members of the campus and regional communities. With 14 distinct garden islands spread out over more than 7,000 square feet, accessible pathways, lighting and a sustainably harvested forever redwood pergola, the space is designed to encourage visitors to linger and learn.
The gardens were envisioned as a place where future generations can learn about the natural world, explore connections between people and the environment, and engage with the College’s commitment to sustainability and resilience.
Wendy Lee Wagner (Hon. ’17), who is herself a garden designer with a degree in plant science from SUNY Cobleskill, helped to select and source all of the plantings, which are completely native to the region, and will help support biodiversity, including pollinators, birds and other animals.
“This past summer, our SUNY Potsdam students planted and cared for 182 pots of native plants, 23 trees, 70 shrubs and 70 perennials, ferns and grasses,” she said. “I’m hoping this garden will show you that you can have beauty, as well as high pollinator and wildlife value. Two examples that you planted in this garden are the phlox ‘Jeana’ and mountain mint—two native perennials that are visited by over 100 different pollinators, bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and many others.”
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of an official naming resolution approved unanimously by the SUNY Potsdam College Council, which formally named the WISER Botanical Garden in recognition of a gift totaling more than $550,000 and the Wagners’ continued support of WISER and environmental education at SUNY Potsdam.
“Bob and Wendy, I want to start by thanking you not only for your generosity, but for the incredible amount of time, thought and care you’ve put into this project,” said SUNY Potsdam President Suzanne R. Smith. “From the original vision for the garden, to its design, to the work of building and planting it, you’ve been here, working alongside our campus community and our students every step of the way. You've helped shape not just what this garden looks like, but what it will mean for the people who learn, work and gather here.”
Representing the Potsdam College Foundation, Board of Trustees President Amy Kellogg ’99 recognized the Wagners’ longstanding commitment to SUNY Potsdam and their leadership support of the College’s recently launched Deeply Rooted, Future Focused campaign.
“As leaders in the Deeply Rooted, Future Focused campaign, you’re helping us build momentum and encourage others to think about what’s possible. And honestly, what’s more ‘deeply rooted’ and ‘future focused’ than these gardens?” Kellogg said.
WISER Center Coordinator Ray Bowdish ’87 and Associate Professor Dr. Katherine Cleary led the planting efforts this summer and fall, along with student interns from the center—and with plenty of guidance from the Wagners.
During the ceremony, student participants Jasmine Crump ’27 and Kendyll Mack ’27 reflected on their experiences helping develop the gardens and working alongside faculty, staff and donors on the project. Their involvement highlighted the collaborative and experiential nature of the initiative, which provided students with opportunities to help transform an idea into a thriving educational resource.
“The Wagners provided support, not only for the botanical gardens, but all the endeavors of the WISER Center, allowing students to apply our knowledge in agriculture and sustainability, improving prior food insecurity projects and allowing access to clean whole foods,” Crump said.
Fellow SUNY Potsdam alumnus and landscape architect Evan Blondell ’06 designed the space, and Foundation Board member Brooks Washburn (Hon. ’23) was the licensed architect and site manager. The contractor for the project was Dow Electric, with significant support from Physical Plant staff.
In addition, the Wagners installed two abstract sculptures by the Adirondack artist John Van Alstine in the space, which were gifts from fellow alumni and supporters Kathy Kofoed Lougheed ’54 and her late husband, Don Lougheed (Hon. ’54).
For more information about Deeply Rooted, Future Focused: The Campaign for Potsdam, visit www.potsdam.edu/deeplyrooted.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.