Kauke Hall site wins national landscaping honor

WOOSTER, Ohio — The Professional Grounds Management Society has singled out work done by The College of Wooster’s campus grounds department in conjunction with the renovation of Kauke Hall for its highest honor, the Green Star Grand Award. The award, which recognizes “grounds manicured with a high degree of excellence,” was announced at the society’s 35th annual awards banquet in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday. Wooster was the only college or university to receive a Grand Award.

Beau Mastrine, director of campus grounds, accepted the award on behalf of the 11 full-time and six seasonal members of the department.

The $18 million renovation of Kauke, completed last year, restored its luster as the crown jewel of the college’s academic buildings. The grounds department, in turn, provided the setting. They designed and executed a comprehensive landscape plan for the site, planting 400 shrubs, 300 perennials, and 50 trees, including 10 disease-resistant “Princeton” American elms south of the building which, when mature, will recreate a vista recalled fondly by generations of Wooster alumni.  The project also included replacement of 15,000 square feet of brick sidewalks, installation of an irrigation system for the acre of turf and landscape beds around the building, and placement of teak benches, planter pots, and bike bollards.

“This has been a goal of the department for years, to be recognized nationally,” Mastrine said. “The dedication of my staff members is reflected in this award, and I’m very proud of them for achieving this honor.”

The College of Wooster is an independent liberal arts college, nationally recognized for an innovative curriculum that emphasizes mentored independent research. Each Wooster senior works one-on-one with a faculty mentor to create an original research project, written work, performance or art exhibit. Founded in 1866, the college enrolls approximately 1,800 students.