The growing season in Silver City may be limited, but the WNMU grounds crew stays busy year-round.
The university currently has eight grounds workers and a grounds manager. Each is assigned a different area to maintain, according to Fermin Lopez, Director of Facilities and Maintenance.
“Anything green on campus, they take care of it, from mowing to trimming bushes, shrubs, ivies—you name it,” said Lopez. “They pick up trash and just keep all the grounds looking good.”
Fall is an especially busy time for the crew, as all the trees on campus mean there are a lot of leaves to clean up.
“As the winter comes, they shift gears and also help with events in their down time,” explained Lopez. “We have the Jingle and Mingle coming up, and they will help with moving trees onto Regents Square. They will assist with tables and chairs.” They also string the many lights that decorate the campus for the winter holidays.
“When we have inclement weather,” Lopez said, “you will see them clearing the walkways and salting them, so everyone in the community can have a safe walking space.”
“They wear many hats, and they help out a lot with our operations,” added Lopez. “That crew is amazing. I can’t say enough about them.”
Lopez emphasized that keeping the campus safe and attractive requires coordination and collaboration. “It takes a team effort—maintenance, custodial and grounds,” he said. “They work as a team and get everything done, and that is how we get a campus looking the way it is.”
Keeping the campus beautiful is a point of pride for the grounds crew, according to Lopez. “The campus here is the most beautiful place in Silver City,” he said. “The community members love it. They walk around, and they are always commenting on green it is, how beautiful it is, and how safe it is. We want to keep that going.”
WNMU President Joseph Shepard agreed that the beauty of the campus is a point of pride for the university. “Western New Mexico University has become one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation,” he said. “This was not accidental but took the hard work of the individuals who take care of our grounds. While it is important for many environmental reasons to plant trees, flowers, and shrubbery, these do not exist without the care and feeding provided by our grounds crew. I am extremely proud of all they have done and all that they are doing.”