Dr. Rowe received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Mechanization from Pennsylvania State University, University Park in 1982 before going on to explore Ornamental Horticulture at Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo from 1990 to 1991. A 1983 Masters of Science preceded a doctorate in Horticultural Science in 1996, all from North Carolina State University.

He has been at MSU since January 1997, where, according to PLANET, he has developed a complete and highly integrated teaching, research and extension program that is widely respected. He’s been a major factor in green roof research, devoting roughly half the over $1 million in grant money raised for MSU during his tenure to the subject according to Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC).

Rowe also was the overall individual winner at Student Career Days in 1991. Now coaching his own teams, they consistently rank in the top 10. His landscape contract management students excel in cost estimating competitions, routinely taking first place according to PLANET.