TCU received the Grand Award, recognizing excellence in grounds management, from the Professional Grounds Management Society at its national conference. The recognition serves to challenge those responsible for the management of grounds to achieve a higher level of excellence.
“We were awarded, thanks to many years of hard work and focus by the grounds team,” said Erik Trevino, director of landscape and grounds, who accepted the award on behalf of TCU. “This is also due to our leadership recognizing the value of well-maintained campus grounds and providing the resources to get there.”
TCU placed first in its category of university and college grounds between 200 and 500 acres.
“Our grounds supervisors – Hector Rodriguez, Randy Chambers, Coco Mayorga, Greg Burdick, Roddy McCurley and Patrick Medford – play a huge part in keeping our campus grounds beautiful,” Trevino said. “Day in and day out, they serve on the frontlines, leading their teams and making key maintenance decisions that result in amazing – and now nationally recognized – campus landscape and grounds.”
The society described grounds management as the “department of first impressions,” emphasizing not only the impact of image but also of social, economic and environmental benefits to the community.
TCU grounds were previously recognized by the Professional Grounds Management Society, as well as by the state of Texas for its pollinator garden and for seven straight years by the Arbor Day Foundation.