Meet the Staff
See also : Visitor Information : Volunteer Program
UT Gardens Director - Dr. Susan Hamilton
In recognition of the Gardens' expanding programs and its role for UT as
well as within Knoxville and the surrounding gardening communities, the
UT Institute of Agriculture has appointed Dr. Susan Hamilton, an
associate professor of horticulture in the Department of Plant Sciences,
as Interim Director of the Gardens.
Hamilton has been visible within the Gardens for some years as director of the nationally recognized annual flower trials, but her new position expands her responsibilities to include full oversight for garden operations including budget management, development, strategic planning, and coordinating the activities of the Friends of the Gardens support group. Hamilton assumed her new role July 1.
Twenty five years ago the UT Gardens began as a research and outreach program of the UT Agricultural Experiment Station. Located on a six-acre plot off Neyland Drive, the Gardens started out as comparative plant research plots and an outdoor teaching laboratory for students of ornamental horticulture and landscape design. It has blossomed to also include the annual flower trial gardens and a Tennessee-certified arboretum. The location has also become a destination attraction for local and regional gardeners.
As a result of Dr. Hamilton's new appointment, UTIA will temporarily suspend the majority of Hamilton's teaching responsibilities within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Her appointment will be effective until a permanent Director can be appointed.
Dr. Joseph DiPietro, UT vice president for agriculture, announced the appointment June 10. "I'm pleased that Dr. Hamilton can take on this expanded role. She is already well-known to the gardening community as co-host of the WNOX radio show, 'The Garden Girls' and she's a popular author and speaker. She brings a wealth of valuable professional expertise to the position and is an ideal representative for the Institute."
In an e-mail to UTIA faculty and staff, DiPietro said, "The Gardens are an excellent example of how our research, teaching and outreach efforts are integrated, and they represent a tangible and ongoing opportunity to communicate that message to our many constituents."
Hamilton is excited about the new opportunity. "The Gardens are important to the mission of the Institute, and I look forward to establishing a good foundation for their future," she said. "Of course I will miss my active teaching duties, but once a permanent director is on board I expect to be back in the classroom on a regular basis." Hamilton will continue to coordinate the Public Horticulture Program and mentor graduate students in the Department of Plant Sciences.
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 Assistant Director, 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 received an M.S. in Public Horticulture in 2008.
After serving as the UT Gardens Curator since 1999, James is now the Assistant Director. His duties include day-to-day operations of the gardens and training and oversight of garden staff and student interns. 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@utk.edu
UT Gardens Trials Coordinator - Beth Willis
Beth joined the UT Gardens as the Herb Garden Curator in 2004 while completing her B.S. in Plant Sciences at UT. She continued in that role while pursuing an M.S. in Public Horticulture, while also taking a more active role in the annual trials program as part of her master’s project.
Beth now oversees the production of over 400 cultivars of bedding plants, hanging baskets, and container plants that are used for research purposes and evaluated for performance in the gardens. She is responsible for herbaceous collections in the herb, vegetable, and perennial gardens. She helps to coordinate the UT Gardens Volunteer Program and maintains the UT Gardens website. In addition, Beth is responsible for teaching the Plant and Garden photography class each fall. ewillis2@utk.edu
UT Gardens Horticulturist- Bobby Cook
Bobby is a Knoxville native. He is married with one child. His hobbies are art, music, and vegetable gardening. Bobby enjoys working in the UT Gardens because of the atmosphere of the flowers and the chance to increase personal knowledge. He has worked for UT for a number of years (6 years at the Dairy Farm), but is new to the Gardens.
UT Gardens Horticulturist (West TN) - Matthew Morrow
Matthew Morrow is a plant enthusiast who has worked at WTREC for a little over a year. Matthew studied at the Pratt Institute in NY and has worked in various positions involving horticulture for the last few years. Matthew’s quick wit, intelligence and strong work ethic has resulted in his being a very valuable member of the Ornamental Horticulture team at Jackson. If pressed to name a favorite plant, he would be likely to dodge the question and broadly mention the genus Pinus as well as Sedum. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his daughter Polly and wife Regina.
Americorps Volunteer - Jennifer Horvath
Jennifer has joined the UT Gardens to work with the Education and Conservation teams. An Appalachia CARES Americorps member, she splits her time between the UT Gardens and the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge to help both organizations with educational programming. Jennifer lives in Knoxville with her husband Dr. Brandon Horvath, a professor in the Plant Sciences Dept., and her three children. Although they are new to Tennessee, they are thoroughly enjoying the area and all that it has to offer. Stay tuned for details on the exciting programs that Jennifer will be implementing in the gardens.
Rose Garden Intern- Robin Yeary
Robin is the current Rose Garden Intern, dedicated to maintaining the new Beall Family Rose Garden. Robin is a senior in Plant Sciences. He grew up in Hamilton County outside of Chattanooga and has always been interested in plants. He has worked in the gardens for several seasons, and has been an integral part of the transformation of the gardens that has taken place during that time.
Student Horticulturist - Chris Brown
Chris is from Franklin, TN and is a junior in Dept of Plant Sciences. He is interested in public horticulture and turfgrass management. In the Gardens, Chris is usually behind a lawnmower or with a weedeater in his hands, caring for the turf and helping with the plants.
Student Horticulturist - Joe Cope
Joe is from Charleston, SC by way of Boston, MA where he just completed an internship at the Arnold Arboretum. He has worked in landscape maintenance, irrigation, plant sales, and public gardens. Currently a junior in Public Horticulture, he ultimately would like to be a Director or Manager of a public garden. Joe joined the UT Gardens to meet people with similar interests and to further his career in public horticulture.
Student Horticulturist - Katheryne Nix
Katheryne is a senior in the Public Horticulture program. She is a Knoxville native and is married. Her hobbies include gardening, outdoor sports, playing with her dog, and spending time with family. Katheryne has always loved plants, especially ones you can eat, and spends lots of time working in the culinary herb garden. This fall she is coordinating the children's program Books and Blooms that takes place in the garden's outdoor classroom. She is excited to promote environmental education in young children and get involved in the community. Her other tasks include helping plan garden events and providing administrative assistance.
Student Horticulturist - Morgan Sharp
Morgan is a junior at the University of Tennessee earning a B.S in Landscape Design and Construction with a minor in forestry. Raised in Maryville, Tennessee, she grew up on a small farm which helped her gain an appreciation for the land that we depend on daily. Her interest in gardening began in 6th grade when I was taught by her science teacher the scientific names of the plants on the school’s nature trail. With the help of her father, Morgan began her own landscape business in 7th grade, which has transformed into a thriving business that is managed by her father while she is going to UT. She joined the gardens staff to improve her knowledge of plants common in East Tennessee, gain further experience in the field of landscaping and obtain new ideas for garden designs.
Student Horticulturist - Ben Collins
Ben Collins is from Lewisburg Tennessee and is a ‘Super Senior’ in the Plant Sciences Department, with a concentration in Landscape Design and Construction. He has lived on his farm in southern middle Tennessee all his life and has great interest in the outdoors. He enjoys most everything that can be done in the great outdoors, but mostly hunting, fishing, riding horses, and farming. Upon graduating in the spring, Ben plans on either working on his masters or returning home to continue and expand his and his father’s excavation and landscaping business.
Student Horticulturist - Cameron Moore
Cameron Moore began doing landscaping and tree work when he was 16 years old and fell in love with taking care of the outdoors, both residentially and commercially. He recently sold his landscaping/mowing business to take more time for school but plans to re-open it in a couple years after he graduates. Cameron is a senior in landscape design and construction. Born and raised in Knoxville, TN, he plans on moving out west in the future. Nothing makes him feel better than working outside all day and making a landscape or yard look better. Cameron enjoys working in the UT Gardens as a way to gain more appreciation for public gardens and to further his knowledge of plants.
Student Horticulturist - Will Mayfield
William is from Pulaski, TN where he lives on a third generation registered Black Angus farm. He is currently a Senior in Animal Science and plans to attend graduate school in the area of bovine reproduction.
Student Horticulturist - Frank Glavin
Frank graduated from Franklin High School and entered UT in 1990, moving away and working for the next 9 years in the restaurant business and as a customer service representative delivering to veterinarians. He returned to school in 2005. As a horticulture major, Frank has had a lifelong passion for plants, inspired by his mother and grandmother, and hopes to turn this interest into a career. He will graduate in December. While most of his family lives in Florida, he loves the “great state of Tennessee.”
Student Horticulturist - Joey Owl
Joseph Owle is a senior in Environmental Soil Science. He is also a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and his hometown is Cherokee, NC. When he is not in school he enjoys hiking, bike rides, playing basketball and the great outdoors. After UT, he is going to continue his education and work toward his masters degree or try to do something productive, beneficial and interesting