University of Minnesota Crookston alumna Theresa Helgeson 1996 recalls almost all of her childhood memories involving plants. Growing up in Duluth, Minn., Helgeson would spend her time memorizing specific plants and analyzing tree structures. She would play with her mother’s house plants, and found fascination from nature. The first tree she learned how to identify was the white pine in fifth grade.
Once Helgeson reached high school, her mother encouraged her to take greenhouse classes. At the time, she thought that sounded weird but decided to give it a shot.
“That’s when it all made sense,” Helgeson expressed.
Helgeson knew she had a passion for plants and nature. In high school, Helgeson came to Crookston to compete at Agriculture and Natural Resources Activities Day (ANRAD), which is how she found out about U of M Crookston. When it finally came time to decide on a college to attend, Helgeson knew she wanted to attend U of M Crookston to do something with plants. She started in the fall of 1992, and decided to stay as the system was transitioning into a four year program.
Helgeson majored in plant industries management with an emphasis in horticulture and graduated in 1996. Helgeson then moved to Nebraska to work for a perennial wholesaler. She realized how much she missed Minnesota and decided to move back to take time off to care for her young children.
Helgeson then got a call from her work study supervisor, Sue Jacobson, asking if she would consider applying for the lab services coordinator position at U of M Crookston. Although Helgeson was happy at home with her children, she couldn’t stop thinking about the open position, so she decided to apply. In 2004, Helgeson became U of M Crookston’s Lab Services Coordinator.
Helgeson manages the campus greenhouses and does all the ordering of supplies for the program. She coordinates crop schedules, makes sure lab supplies are set up and ready to go, and sometimes helps with labs as needed. Helgeson also advises the Horticulture Club on campus as well as co-advising the NACTA student organization.
Helgeson thought her favorite part about her position at U of M Crookston would be the plants, but quickly realized that it was much deeper than that.
“I love being someone the students can come and talk to about anything,” she shared.
Helgeson says she is passionate about encouraging students and helping them realize just how capable they are, because sometimes they don’t realize that.
In 2014, Helgeson was awarded with the U of M Crookston Outstanding Alumni Award.
“I sort of stole my speech from one of my professors, because what he said really hit home for me,” she confessed. “Whatever it is we succeed at, it’s all because of others.”
Helgeson says the main thing she’s taken away from her position is that you succeed when you are kind and you make connections, and recognize all the people who helped you get to where you’re at.
During her free time, Helgeson enjoys spending time with her family. She has been married to her husband for almost 26 years, and together they have three children, Ashley (24), Zach (21), and Carter (20). Her daughter, Ashley, also graduated from U of M Crookston in 2021 and works as the circulation supervisor at the Roger D. Moe Library.
Helgeson believes she is fulfilling her passion at U of M Crookston because not only does she get to work with plants, but she also gets to work with students everyday.
“My job is to grow plants, but it’s more like growing people,” she admitted.
Written for the Alumni and Donor Relations "Spotlight" email August 2024.
