Alan Prather appointed director of Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum

Michigan State University has announced the appointment of Alan Prather as director of the Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum. Prather has served as interim director since October 2021. In addition to his expertise in plant biology and dedication to the garden during this interim period, Prather brings over two decades of experience within MSU. Prather is a faculty member in Plant Biology, where he was graduate director for many years. Since 1997, Prather has also directed one of Professor Beal’s other major campus collections, the MSU Herbarium.

“Dr. Prather has demonstrated great skill and care in his interim leadership of Beal Botanical Garden, and we are excited to welcome him to the director position,” said MSU Interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko. “With Alan’s guidance, the garden has charted an innovative course for its future that embraces its role as a living laboratory as invested in learning and scholarship as it is in fostering connection and wellbeing.”

Read more and hear Russ White's interview with Prather on MSUToday >