Hollis Malone
Public Horticulturist
Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design

The education and experience I received while studying ornamental horticulture at UT was excellent and opened many doors for me. My professors were interested in my success and encouraged me constantly. I was the first student from Tennessee to apply for and be accepted to the Longwood Gardens Summer Internship. I gained experience and was able to learn more about my profession from these true professionals. It was the kind of information you could not get from pure academia and was the type of opportunity we as students would soon face.

Another student and I lived in and maintained the greenhouses during the weekends to pay for our board. It was neat having the Agriculture Campus as our backyard. We received more experience because we lived with plants and were able to study them daily.

When I graduated and started work as a greenhouse pot plant grower, I stayed in touch with my professors and my school. UT has always been there for me and has helped me with any information I needed throughout my career. I have attended numerous educational short courses and have been encouraged to supply information on my profession and my opinions on what is important to future students in this program. I have had the opportunity to serve on the Alumni Council and benefit again from my university.

As the manager of the horticulture and pest control department for Gaylord Entertainment Company, I find the UT Trial Gardens to be one of my favorite places to visit with my staff. What a great educational opportunity for us all!