2:53 p.m., Sept. 21, 2010----Vikram Krishnamurthy has been named the new managing director of the University of Delaware Center for Public Horticulture. Also, Robin Sheffield has been named the new staff assistant for the center and also the Longwood Graduate Program in Public Horticulture.

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Krishnamurthy started his horticultural career in Virginia, coming to Delaware as tree program manager at the Delaware Center for Horticulture.

While pursuing his master's degree, he became a research associate for the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy at UD where he managed urban and community forestry projects -- including a study of the Wilmington-Newark tree canopy -- and the formation of the Wilmington Urban Forest Coalition.

Krishnamurthy subsequently became the stewardship manager and, most recently, director of land conservation for the Eastern Shore (Md.) Land Conservancy, where he led the organization's land preservation and conservation programs.

“Vik comes highly recommended from past supervisors and colleagues, and we look forward to the energy, experience, and growth potential that he will bring to the Center for Public Horticulture at the University of Delaware,” says Robert Lyons, CPH director and director of the Longwood Graduate Program.

The interdisciplinary center was created to address needs such as training for current professionals in the field, research on issues in public horticulture, leadership, unity and collaboration, and is supported by the UD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Longwood Gardens.

Krishnamurthy's academic history includes an associate degree in applied science in horticulture from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Virginia and a bachelor's degree in anthropology from James Madison University, and he is currently completing his master's degree in urban affairs and public policy with a concentration in energy, environment and equity at UD. Krishnamurthy received the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Leadership Prize in 2007.

Sheffield joins the Longwood Graduate Program and CPH from UD's Center for Composite Materials, where she served as senior records specialist for three years. She brings a great deal of experience to the similar financial management practices and administrative needs of the Longwood Graduate Program. In addition to her experience with graduate students at UD, Robin previously held similar positions at Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, N.C.

“We are excited to welcome Robin as a very good fit for our staff and students, and for the expertise she brings to the program. What is equally important is her proven 'can do' attitude and positive outlook that will energize staff and students alike,” says Lyons.

The Longwood Graduate Program, established in 1967 as a partnership between UD and Longwood Gardens, integrates experiential learning throughout its academic curricula to produce and develop leaders in the field of public horticulture.

Photo by Danielle Quigley