Meet the Staff
See also : Visitor Information : Volunteer Program
UT Gardens Director - Dr. Susan Hamilton
Dr. Susan Hamilton is the Director of the University of Tennessee Gardens, directing the UT Gardens toward a bright future in education, research, display, and public relations. As Associate Professor in the Plant Sciences Department, Dr. Hamilton utilizes the UT Gardens to teach two classes in herbaceous ornamental plants and three classes in Public Horticulture, which prepares students for work in botanical gardens, urban horticulture, and education. She is an avid gardener and enjoys practicing what she preaches.
Dr. Hamilton has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Tennessee, 1980; a Master's degree in Horticulture from Ohio State University, 1983; a Doctorate degree in Adult Education from the University of Tennessee, 1995. sueham@utk.edu
UT Gardens Curator, Knoxville - James Newburn
Since 1992, James has put his expertise toward the success of the UT Gardens as we see it today. He received a B.S. in horticulture from UT. He started working for UT as a student in 1992, and became floriculture research greenhouse manager upon his graduation in 1995.
James has been in his current position as UT Gardens Curator since 1999, where he oversees the production of over 700 cultivars of bedding plants, hanging baskets, and container plants that are used for research purposes and evaluated for performance in the gardens. jnewburn@utk.edu
UT Gardens Curator, Jackson - Jason Reeves
Jason is Ornamental Horticulture Research Associate at UT's West Tennessee Research and Education Center in Jackson. He creates the various seasonal horticultural displays, conducts research on herbaceous and woody ornamentals, assists with the center's annual field day, Summer Celebration, and supports other educational programs.
Jason has a B.S. in Agriculture from UT-Martin and an M.S. in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design from UT Knoxville. He has worked at Opryland Hotel and Conservatories, Missouri Botanical Garden, and Longwood Gardens. He has lived and worked as a horticulturist in New Zealand on two different occasions. jsreeves@mail.ag.utk.edu
Volunteer Coordinator, Graduate Assistant - Andy Pulte
Andrew Pulte grew up in the nursery industry in central Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska,-Lincoln, in 2000, with a degree in horticulture. During his undergraduate years, he participated in internships at Polly Hill Arboretum in Martha’s Vineyard, and Arnold Arboretum in Boston. Andy also spent time in the Netherlands, working for a tulip bulb export company. Following graduation, he worked for the National Arbor Day Foundation, followed by the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska. Andy enjoys working with our hardworking and dedicated volunteers as the UT Gardens Volunteer Coordinator.
Graduate Assistant - Terumi Saito
Terumi grew up in Yokohama, Japan, before coming to Knoxville to study at the University of Tennessee in 1996. Upon graduating from UT with a major in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design, Terumi ventured out to the real world to work as a horticulturist and landscape designer at The Flower Market in Knoxville. She has returned to UT to pursue a Master's degree in Public Horticulture with a focus in Historic Landscape Preservation. She developed her interests and appreciation for historic gardens and heirloom plants while working at The Flower Market. After successfully completing her Master's, Terumi would like to pursue a career in Historic Preservation work.
Graduate Student - Beth Willis
Student Assistant - Katie McCarver
Katie McCarver is from Memphis and is a junior in the Dept. of Plant Sciences. Some of her interests are in community gardening and horticulture education in urban settings. She hopes to join the Peace Corps one day. She would like to help people become connected with plants "but only as long as I can still get my hands dirty." Besides general horticultural chores, look for Katie getting her hands dirty in the herb and vegetable gardens.
Student Assistant - Robin Yeary
Student Assistant - Heather Luttrell
Student Assistant - Amanda Plant
Student Assistant - Greg
Feline Assistants - Sassafras, Cosmo, and Indigo
These three very special "employees" work in our Integrated Pest Management program.
This program is a cooperative effort between the University of Tennessee Veterinary School and the University of Tennessee Plant Sciences Department. In return for controlling the rodent population in the garden, our cats receive excellent pay and benefits. They have comfortable night time amenities in a nearby facility where they have fresh food and water, and a soft bed to sleep on. Our cats receive routine medical care from the UT Veterinary School.
If you visit the gardens, we hope that you will see these three hard at work. Please do not distract our cats as they do their jobs. They should not be handled, and because they have a distinct territory, do not encourage them to follow you. Notify the Plant Sciences Department at 865-974-7324 if you notice any problem.