On October 10th, Harrison “Red” Kennicott III was inducted into the Michigan Floral Foundation (MFF) Hall of Fame. The event was held at the University Club at Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, Red’s alma mater. It was a wonderful evening spent with family and industry friends, who shared stories about Red while watching a slideshow featuring his life in pictures.
Tom Butler, AAF, PFCI, Teleflora chairman and fellow MFF Hall of Fame inductee, emceed the event and spoke about time spent with Red over the years. Society of American Florists Executive Vice President Peter Moran praised Red for his unending passion in marketing cut flowers. He also had a fun story of a trip Red took to Colombia over the Christmas holiday a few years back. Red’s wife Katie told of meeting Red in Florida while on spring break from MSU. “He’s a wonderful husband, father and playmate,” said Katie. “I had him from the first time we met on that beach in Florida over spring break.”
Another highlight of the evening was a visit from Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon who thanked Red and his family for all they’ve done for the University over the years.
After the presentation of the Hall of Fame award Red thanked those who attended for their support and the Michigan Floral Foundation for this honor. In closing Red said his goal now is to stay health and coherent so he can enjoy watching the future unfold.
The Michigan Floral Foundation would like to give a special thanks to the following corporate sponsors (listed alphabetically) for their gracious support of the Foundation and the Hall of Fame dinner:
- BloomNet
- Design Master Color Tool
- FloraCraft Corporation
- *Kennicott Brothers Company
- Mayesh Wholesale
- Multi Packaging Solutions (JHC)
- Nordlie, Inc
- *Smithers–Oasis
- Syndicate Sales
- *Teleflora
*Indicates Full Table Sponsorship for the event
Anyone wishing to honor Red Kennicott with a donation to the Michigan Floral Foundation (MFF) is welcome to do so. Donations are 100-percent tax deductible. Donations can be mailed to the MFF, P.O. Box 67, Haslett, MI. 48840, made online at www.michiganfloral.org/mff.html or call (517) 575-0110 for more information.
The Michigan Floral Foundation was founded in 2007 and was established to support and advance the floral industry, its members and the communities they serve. The Foundation meets this responsibility through educational opportunities and community enrichment activities. The MFF will periodically honor outstanding members of the floral industry who have mentored and inspired their fellow industry members. The Michigan Floral Foundation Hall of Fame has been established to record the contributions of those so honored.
Source: Michigan Floral Foundation
