Dr. Sue Hamilton is director of the University of Tennessee Gardens which serve as a living laboratory for students, a platform for research, and as a hub for Extension programing. Additionally, over 100,000 visitors enjoy their beauty and educational programing each year. Under Hamilton’s leadership, the Gardens have been named the State Botanical Gardens of Tennessee and a network of UT Garden locations have been established statewide with sites in Knoxville, Crossville, and Jackson. These Gardens are important “proving grounds” of landscape performance in Tennessee for hundreds of new plants each year. Also an associate professor of horticulture in the UT Plant Sciences department, Hamilton is the founding director of the Public Horticulture Program for undergraduate and graduate studies. She teaches courses in Public Garden Mgt. & Operations, Plant & Garden Photography, and oversees Botanical Garden Practicums and Internships. Dr. Sue has co-authored the book “The Best Garden Plants for Tennessee” and writes a monthly gardening column for the Knoxville News Sentinel. She is also a contributor to various magazines including Tennessee Farm & Home, Tennessee Gardener, Fine Gardening Magazine, and coordinates the UT Gardens’ monthly e-newsletter and bi-annual magazine. During her tenure at UT, Hamilton has represented the Institute of Agriculture in five countries and throughout the USA leading several botanical trips abroad. She was the recipient of the 2002 UT Chancellor’s Honors Women of Achievement Award, the 2005 UTIA William T. Miles Memorial Award for Community Service, and the 2001 Gamma Sigma Delta Teaching Award.