Robert “Buddy” Lee, an internationally known plant breeder and the inventor of Encore®
Azalea, the world’s best-selling reblooming azalea, has more than 40 years’ experience
in nursery management, plant breeding, propagation and new plant development. His
invention of Encore® Azaleas is responsible for revolutionizing the azalea market
and nursery industry as it relates to growing, promoting, and selling azaleas. Buddy’s
plant breeding work has resulted in 60 plant patents, numerous foreign plant breeders’
rights and numerous U.S. plant trademarks, with cultivars featured in the Southern
Living® Plant Collection and the Sunset Western Plant Collection®. He is an active
public speaker, delivering more than 25 horticultural presentations each year to a
wide range of audience across the globe.
I never considered attending any other university other that Southeastern. Southeastern
had a great reputation for its quality education. For my parents, the location was
convenient, and it was a safe and secure place. All the extra curricula activities
at the university also made it an inviting place. Also, my sister had graduated from
Southeastern a couple years earlier and I had numerous friends attending there. It
was a relatively easy choice for me to decide to attend Southeastern.
Cefalu Coliseum, which no longer exits, was an iconic place that reminded me of Southeastern.
I attended several graduations there, as matter of fact, my graduation was held at
Cefalu Coliseum in December 1976. I also attended numerous events at the coliseum
over the years, such as concerts (Dr. John and the Medicine Show, Quick Silver Messenger
Service, Lester Skaggs and Sons, and others), rodeos, and many other events. It was
heart breaking to see the old stately coliseum demolished. I would also say that the
Live Oaks around Friendship circle, especially the ‘Friendship Oak’ is one of my very
personal iconic symbols of Southeastern.
Eating Late Breakfast/Brunch at the Le Petit Cafe (by the Twelve Oaks, east side of
old cafeteria building). I usually scheduled early morning classes. After a couple
classes, I would take a break and have late breakfast/brunch at the Le Petit Cafe.
There were only a few people that stop by there at this time of day, however nearly
everyone that stop for brunch was extremely friendly and it was easy to converse with
them. We would discuss whatever topic came up while eating our toast and/or cereal.
It was nice just to have a lively conversation, sometimes with complete strangers,
and watching students outside the windows rushing to and from classes.
Well I was not much for talking to professors after class or even if I would see them
on campus. However, there was two instructors whom I really enjoyed their style of
teaching. They were Dr. David Shepard (biology) for his down to earth rugby-like explanation
of topics, and Miss Diane Depaula (computer science, mathematics) for her bright-eyed
enthusiasm when talking about the future potential of computers. However, an English
professor, Mr. Bruce McGill really stands out, not for his teaching excitement or
pizzazz, but for a poem that he, out of the blue, assigned to me to analyze and recite.
The poem was Ozymandias, by English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley published in 1818. The
overall meaning of the poem is: all earthly power is temporary no matter how powerful
a person is. Oddly, this poem has stuck with me all these years and helps me keep
things in perspective. I got an A on that assignment!
Yes, I did end up working in the field(s) that I studied. Not in the regular traditional
way that most people would expect. I consider that all my studies equip me in some
form or fashion with my career over the years. I am active in the horticultural industry,
so my agriculture and biology studies have served me well. I am also heavily involved
in consumer marketing, presenting seminars and just conversing with people. I am sure
that my psychology studies have given me a good understanding of human behaviors related
to marketing and communication.
I think it introduced me to subjects that I would not have normally, left to my own
devices, would have studied. All these studies broaden my scope and gave me a better
understanding of the world. On the technical concepts my education gave me a good
solid foundation to work from and to continue learning once I moved into my career.
Also, the four years that I spent at Southeastern gave me time to mature and experience
life outside my immediate family.
I have always loved the outdoors. I love walking in the forest and observing all the
different types of trees. Or strolling in an old meadow and seeing all the natural
diversity of plants. I love to see seeds germinate, little seedlings grow and mature
and then watch them bloom. My horticulture profession gives me the privilege to work
with and enjoy all types of plant groups. My profession has allowed me to travel throughout
the United States and overseas giving seminars, attending conferences, and searching
for exciting new plants. Once I was invited to speak at the Forest University in Beijing,
China. That was a wonderful trip. However, some of my most enjoyable times in my profession
are just working in my nursery taking care of my plants.
That a diploma, regardless of the field of study, can open so many doors.
Grandchildren, veggie gardening, hiking, and ancestry genealogy.
