Roddy Ray, 1977 Haywood Community College Horticulture graduate, has a passion for growing plants that stems all the way back to childhood. She remembers working with both her grandmothers in flower beds and gardens. She learned to appreciate growing things and another seed was planted besides what was put in the ground.

This seed grew into a passion that has served Roddy well for a rewarding career lasting more than 20 years. Roddy is the Grounds and Landscape Manager at Lake Junaluska Assembly, a place well-known for its beauty. Today, thousands of visitors from all over the world visit Lake Junaluska yearly and enjoy the results of her landscaping team’s hard work.

Roddy enrolled at Haywood Community College in the horticulture program after graduating from high school and completed the program in 1977.

At the lake, Roddy and her team grow all the annuals and perennials that are used in the landscaping and manage the Rose Walk and other gardens on the grounds. 

Roddy was selected for HCC’s Outstanding Alumni Award for 2013.

A stroll around Lake Junaluska showcases the passion Roddy shares in growing plants with both visitors and residents.