Master gardener

She arrives at work before many students crawl out of bed. The lush gardens and colorful floral arrangements scattered throughout University of Michigan-Dearborn’s campus are a product of her hard work. And when you see a green John Deere Gator cruising down the sidewalk, she’s more than likely behind the wheel. Jeanette Whiting has handled UM-Dearborn’s gardening duties for more than 25 years, and she has no plans on retiring anytime soon. “I haven’t gotten tired of this job yet,” Whiting said. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this job. This is my garden. I spend more time here than I do at home.”