FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Dr. Robert D. Bledsoe has been named assistant director of development for Garvan Woodland Gardens, a department of the School of Architecture.

Bledsoe received his doctorate in ministry and master's in divinity, and he has worked as a licensed real estate broker in Hot Springs where he has resided for six years.

Working in tandem with Charlotte Taylor, director of development in the School of Architecture, he will support the Gardens' advisory board and development committee.

"There are many wonderful naming opportunities for donors, including a chapel designed by Maurice Jennings and David McKee and the Garden of the Pine Wind with many outstanding features," Taylor said. "Bledsoe will work to secure more projects like these. Recently, Leon and Betty Millsap donated $90,000 for the Canopy Bridge. A 600-seat amphitheater, a lighthouse and a chapel are also in the master plan."

Jeff Shannon, interim dean of the School of Architecture, described Bledsoe as "a great addition to the university and garden staff."

"Bob Bledsoe will be instrumental in helping the garden develop as a primary asset to the state," Shannon said.

The 210-acre, woodland botanical gardens were donated by Verna Cook Garvan to the University in 1985. Located on four and one-half miles of Lake Hamilton shoreline, they now feature more than 128 species of ornamental and native shrubs and wild flowers, 160 different types of azaleas, a four-acre Asian garden with a 12-foot waterfall, three unique bridges and a sandstone pavilion designed by E. Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings.

The Gardens are projected to bring in 200,000 visitors annually, some of who will plan their visit through their web site at <http://www.garvangardens.org/>, according to Taylor.

"We are looking forward to how Bledsoe can broaden the resources of the Gardens to the community of Hot Springs," said Fran Beatty, head of department of landscape architecture and member of the Gardens' advisory board.

"The Garden is being touted as Arkansas' next major tourist attraction. I am very excited to be a part of such a dynamic project that will have a broad economic impact on Hot Springs and Arkansas," said Bledsoe.

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