SU Horticulture and Grounds Staff

When students are asked why they chose Salisbury University, many of them say the same thing: “From the first moment I stepped foot on campus, I fell in love.”

SU regularly wins awards for its arboretum and sustainability initiatives, including being designated as a Bird Campus, Bee Campus and Monarch Watch butterfly waystation, and earning Tree Campus USA recognition. All of this is possible thanks to the dedicated team that maintains the campus, many of whom are proud Sea Gull alumni.

The SU Alumni Association honored SU’s Horticulture and Grounds Department for its role in preserving the campus’ beauty at its annual awards ceremony. From setting up for Alumni Homecoming and Family Weekend to ensuring the campus remains litter-free, the department continues to go above and beyond to meet the needs of the campus community. Among the staff that were honored are Julie Golightly, William Lowery, Richard Shaw ’94, Sherrie Bauer ’94, William “Bill” Harris ’82 and Frank Bowen ’89, assistant director of Horticulture and Grounds and Physical Plant.

“Caring for the campus is not just a responsibility. It’s an honor,” Bowen said. “I get to work with a team of wonderful people, who know we have a great opportunity to make a difference.”

Bowen said what motivates the staff is that many are SU alumni themselves who understand the importance of what they do.

“Everyone on our team, down to groundskeepers and service workers and current students, are happy to be an important part of SU,” Bowen said. “Since I first came to SU as a student, I’ve seen the campus through all its changes. It’s still the same place, and we love it.”

1st Bee Campus USA honoree in the University System of Maryland

When Bowen was an SU student, he worked for the Horticulture
Department. Back then, the crew relied heavily on students – especially during the summer, when students would help with mowing, irrigation and caring for the plant life

For many students, caring for the campus teaches them management skills
and gives them the opportunity to learn from some of the best horticulturists. They also feel the importance of creating an atmosphere that feels warm and welcoming for the entire community, something that motivates them to continue giving back to their Alma Mater as staff.

That was the case for Sherrie Bauer, who returned to SU as part of the Horticulture and Grounds Department in 2017. The passion of the team is what made Bauer want to come back and be part of it. What she enjoys about her job is that everyone brings different experience and landscaping styles, which come together to create a diverse and vibrant vision for the campus.

“Our campus is beautiful, and everyone on the team takes pride in the presentation of the campus,” Bauer said.