ERNEST HETHERINGTON AWARD WINNERS

The Ernest Hetherington Orchid Digest Medal of Honor Recipients

2020

Jim Folsom for his services as a friend of the Orchid Digest and the director of the Huntington Botanical Gardens since 1987. He oversees the 12 thematic gardens as well as the orchid collection.

2019

Roy Tokunaga for his contributions as an extraordinary orchid hybridizer for more than 40 years.

2018

Peter Tobias, Director and Board President of the Orchid Conservation Alliance for his leadership in the field of orchid conservation.

2016

Carol Siegel for her many incredible contributions as an author for the Orchid Digest as well as a teacher and lecturer.

2015

Carol Woodin for her contributions to botanical art with an emphasis on orchids and her service as a teacher.

2014

Gene Crocker for his contributions to orchid hybridizing and as an lecturer.

2013

Simone and Alf Friend for extraordinary service for many years to the Orchid Digest.

2013

Alec Pridgeon for his services as an editor of the American Orchid Society publications ORCHIDS, and the founding editor of Lindleyana, lecturer, and author of important works including the Genera Orchidacearum.

2012

David Banks for his service as editor of the Australian Orchid Review and author, lecturer, and contributions as a biologist.

2011

Mark Chase for his work as a taxonomic botanist on the Molecular Systematics, Jodrell Lab, the Royal Botanic Garden KEW.

2010

Harold Koopowitz for his contributions in hybridizing, lecturing, and author.

2009

Norito Hasegawa extraordinary orchid hybridizer, commercial grower, and lecturer for his contributions to the orchid world.

2008

Henry Oakley as author and lecturer, for his contributions to the field of orchids.

2008

James Watson for his service as the editor of the American Orchid Society publication “ORCHIDS” magazine.

2007

Joyce Stewart, botanist, lecturer, author and first Royal Botanic Garden KEW Sainsbury Orchid Fellow.

2006

Lou Menezes for contributions as an author and service as the head of the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Natural Resources (IBAMA).

2005

Phillip Cribb for his work as a taxonomic botanist and curator of the Herbarium at KEW and as an author and lecturer.

2003

Steve Gollis for his service as president of the Orchid Digest Corporation and extraordinary talents as the graphics editor for the Orchid Digest.

2002

Ernest Hetherington was awarded a second medal for his continued contributions to the orchid world and his service to the Orchid Digest.

2000

Rebecca Northen, well-known writer and educator, for her contributions as an orchidist, biologist, and author of several books and articles including the standard reference for orchid hobbyists, “Home Orchid Growing.”

1996

Dr. Carl Withner for his contributions as a lecturer, orchid judge, taxonomic botanist describing 11 species, and author of “The Cattleyas and Their Relatives” in six volumes.

1994

Ben Kodama, a pioneer in the commercial orchid industry in the Hawaiian Islands, lecturer, and chair of the Second World Orchid Conference.

1990

Fordyce and Trudi Marsh for their contributions as lecturers, and their services as staff members of the Orchid Digest.

1982

Eric Young, the creator of the Eric Young Foundation and his contributions to the development of new orchid hybrids of excellence.

1981

Dr. Jack A. Fowlie for his contributions as orchid collector, writer, lecturer, and for his service for twelve years as the editor of the Orchid Digest.

1979

William Eilau for his service as the president of the Orchid Digest, Trustee of the American Orchid Society, and an organizer of the World Orchid Conference in Long Beach.

1977

Herb Hager for his pioneer work in orchid hybridizing, and education through his lecturing and writing.

1976

Reverend Masao Yamada for his pioneering efforts in establishing the commercial orchid industry in Hawaii after World War II.

1975

Ernest Hetherington, a pioneer in the field of orchids, for his contributions in establishing the American Orchid Society Judging System, and lecturer extraordinaire.

1974

Hugo Freed for his service as a columnist for the Orchid Digest.

1968

Gordon Dillon for originating the idea of the World Orchid Conferences.

1964

Joseph Hampton awarded posthumously for his discovery of and refining techniques for controlling the flowering period in cattleyas.

1963

Sanders Orchid Nursery of England and Belgium for their contributions to the orchid world for over three generations.

1962

Lester McDonald awarded posthumously for his contributions as a commercial orchidist at McLellan’s Nursery and for his service as the Secretary of the Orchid Digest.

1960

G. Alexander for his work as a hybridizer with over 528 orchids registered.

1959

Dr. L. F. Hawkinson for his service as a columnist for the Orchid Digest.

1956

O. Bracey for his contributions as superintendent of Armacost & Roysten and the managing Director of B. O. Bracy Company.

1955

Robert Casamajor for his contributions as an orchidist and the Editor of the Cymbidium News.