Reiman Gardens’ growth and the need for membership development has led the facility to create a director position.

Teresa McLaughlin, former director of public relations and fund raising, was named the director of Reiman Gardens.

“This is the first broad attempt to cover the needs of the fund raising and public relations, and to bring academic units into organizational structure,” said Murray Blackwelder, vice president of External Affairs.

It’s important to have a director to handle all the issues visitors to the Gardens have, McLaughlin said.

“The growth of the gardens has been quite impressive and we need to coordinate all the activities that take place out here with a director,” she said. “This job-title change better reflects my current responsibilities and role in the development of the gardens.”

McLaughlin’s duties include coordinating special events, managing the annual $1.6 million budget, public relations programs, the CoHorts volunteer program and membership development.

She will also report to the provost concerning academic issues, Blackwelder said.

It’s important the position be made effective immediately because the facility is growing rapidly, he said. Major construction is underway for a year-round conservatory and more staff will need to be hired.

McLaughlin will hire directors of entomology, continuing education and marketing to help run the gardens, Blackwelder said.

New facilities at Reiman Gardens include three garden areas that cover about six acres. Three programs are being offered this summer and include six children’s programs, personalized tours and story hour.

Reiman Gardens is going to be one of the largest attractions in Iowa, Blackwelder said.

McLaughlin was hired in 1999 as director of public relations and fund raising for Reiman Gardens. She took on the role of coordinating all the Gardens’ activities.

Mike Chaplin previously served as department head of horticulture and director of Reiman Gardens, but he is now a full-time faculty member, McLaughlin said.

She said her most important duty will be to encourage, facilitate and help in every way possible the use of the gardens by the ISU faculty for academic programs. Her new position will be effective immediately.

“I look forward to working with all the units of Iowa State University to utilize the full potential of Reiman Gardens,” McLaughlin said. “It is going to be quite exciting to see the gardens unfold as we get more programs and staff on board to serve the diversity of requests we receive each day.”