The Saint Rose Chronicle

Issue date: 4/8/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Kira Pogge

Media Credit: Kira Pogge

Have you ever walked through campus during the spring and summer and admired the gardens, flowers, and landscaping? Have you ever stopped to look at the Christmas lights twinkling brightly on your way across campus during the holiday season, or the welcoming wreaths hung on campus doors? Have you ever noticed that even on the snowiest, iciest days, once you get to campus, the sidewalks are clear and salted so we don't slip and fall?

If so, then you've noticed the work, and artistry, of the 19 hard-working men and women of The College of Saint Rose facilities staff, whose expertise in engineering, maintenance and landscaping, ensures that our campus is clean and attractive year round.

While their efforts are great, many take the work of this team for granted. The facilities team works long hours to create the pleasant, safe environment that we enjoy and treasure. For example, during the winter months members of the facilities team begin plowing and shoveling at 1:00a.m. in order to ensure that staff and students find available parking and safe sidewalks when they arrive in the morning. When winter turns to spring, the same crew turns their focus to beautifying the campus through maintenance and landscaping projects. While many students are away from campus during the summer, the facilities team works diligently painting, repairing, and gardening while preparing for the start of the new academic year that begins each fall.

Many of the members of the College's facilities staff have been part of the Saint Rose community for years. Those interviewed for this article cited the College's wonderful learning environment, positive campus community, and the camaraderie of their unit as reasons for staying. Paul Peterson, a 19-year veteran at the College and a licensed electrical engineer, explained that he chose Saint Rose because of the environment and the employee benefits.

"They provide great health and educational benefits," Peterson said. Dave McNeil, a staff member in building maintenance for four months, noted, "The tuition benefits are good. My wife earned her Master's Degree at Saint Rose, and I have two children getting ready to start college soon."

In fact, members of the facilities team take advantage of the benefit package to continue their education. Darla Mulhearn-Mann, a landscape designer that has been with The College of Saint Rose for a year and a half, is currently enrolling in classes for next semester. Mulhearn-Mann was originally introduced to Saint Rose through her former employer, the supplier of the shrubs and small trees on campus. Mulhearn-Mann takes pride not just in her landscape creations, but also in inspiring her co-workers to do a good job, while enjoying the difference they make on campus.

Ed Pratt, a groundskeeper at Saint Rose, has worked on the college staff for six years. Pratt described Darla by saying, "She gets into her work." Referring to the positioning of plants and planting flowers Pratt explained, "I didn't really like it at first; but, then this little lady Darla came along and gave me a whole new perspective on things."

Now the spring and summer seasons are Pratt's favorite seasons to work on campus. With flowers blooming, warm weather, and sunshine, spring and summer were cited by many of those working in facilities as the best times of the year to be on campus. James Percy, a long time employee in building maintenance of nine years agrees.

"Summer is my favorite time on campus," Percy said.

So the next time you walk past a beautiful garden, duck into a building for the comfort of air-conditioning in the summer or the warmth of heat on a cold day, or see these dedicated college employees, please take a moment to say "thank you" for all of their hard work. Saint Rose would not be the welcoming environment it is without their efforts and successful endeavors. To our facilities staff, thank you for all that you do to make a difference on the Saint Rose campus, it is very much appreciated.

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