Section B · Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Monday, May 10, 1999
Congratulations Graduates
St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center would like to congratulate the
Class of 1999!
May God bless you in your future endeavers.
Landscaping crews prepare campus
Edge 35 miles of curb, clean 75 acres of parking lots and plant 15.000 flowers across campus.
Facilities Operations puts in overtime getting KU ready
The 27 full-time employees of the Facilities Operations landscaping crew have an extensive to-do list to complete before Commencement May 23, especially considering the crew is short-staffed and the weather has been awful.
By Lori O'Toole Special to the Kansan
Mike Richardson, Facilities Operations director, said employees must manicure 500 of the University of Kansas' 1,058 acres in time for the ceremonies and festivities. They also must care for the University's 900 various species of plants.
"It's an important day in a student's life and it's a culmination of all their hard work here," said Vince Williams, associate director. "We want to make it special for them."
Williams said the extensive preparations also were beneficial for returning alumni.
"It's a really pretty campus and a lot of people know it because of that," Williams said. "It's important to hold it to that level."
Wayne Reusch Jr., physical plant supervisor, said that several years ago, 35 people worked on the crew, eight more than the department now has. With the smaller staff, overtime is required and supervisors such as Reusch temporarily leave their desk jobs to help mow, trim or edge.
The crew will continue trimming shrubs and hedges, sodding.
Reusch has prepared the campus for Commencement each year since he began working for the department 35 years ago. Although he began his supervisor position 15 years ago, he has helped with the landscaping labor each year.
Reusch is not the only supervisor pitching in. Richardson said another department supervisor, Clarence Rayton, helped by edging curbs on Iowa Street.
seeding and replacing plants that did not make it through the winter. On April 19, employees began working nine-hour days, which will eventually increase to 10-hour days, seven days a week.
"It's a monumental task," Richardson said. "It's the busiest they get all year."
Additional tasks include continuously picking up trash, daily maintenance and painting curbs and crosswalks to make them look newer and brighter. Rain and large fluctuations in temperature this spring have made the tasks more difficult.
Things get really hectic during the weeks before Commencement.
"It makes it a little easier knowing people will notice the work and appreciate it." Reusch said.
For example, the crew begins mowing grass on campus twice a week. Reusch said this was a difficult job because it usually takes about 25 people to make a round in one week. Employees also will arrange more than 1,000 flowers and ferns for school ceremonies and the stage for Commencement.
Greg Wade, landscape architect for Design and Construction Management, has helped plan and design the campus' appearance for the past 19 years. Recently, he designed the landscape in front of the Visitor Center, which Richardson said would be important to this year's Commencement.
Two years ago, Wade designed the landscape near the Campanile — one of the most prominent landscape areas for Commencement in addition to Jayhawk Boulevard.
Reusch said Facilities Operations employees were motivated for the large project.
Wade said the colors and blooming plants in the spring helped make the campus attractive. His challenge is to find those plants that look their best for Commencement, a difficult one because late May falls between the spring bloom and the summer peak. Plants that have colorful foliage in the fall are also an important part of the design. Wade also tried to select the most maintenance-free
"It is an important day in a student's life and it's a culmination of all their hard work here. We want to make it special for them."
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While working with the Campanile area, similar to previous designers, he attempted to preserve some of the existing landscape character while adding to it. He said this was accomplished by working around the larger trees when he planned for smaller blooming trees to be planted under and near them. Plants such as flowing shrubs, weeping crab apple trees and Hosta, a ground-covering plant, also helped him to maximize the design.
species.
"I think the whole approach to landscaping on campus is important because it conveys unity," Wade said. "We try to make it a beautiful place."
Despite the weeks of hard work and demands, Reusch said the dedication paid off in the end.
Vince Williams Facilities Operations
"After the final thing, you can look back be proud," he said. "Hopefully, it will also help everyone to have a nice graduation."
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Some graduates will remain in Lawrence
Job searches, graduate school and careers keep students in KU region
By John Audlehelm Special to the Kansan
Many seniors have personal reasons for planning to stay in Lawrence after graduation.
Some said they liked the city's college atmosphere and culture, while others said significant others or leases were tying them down.
Catherine Peace, Wichita senior, said that while she planned to attend graduate school, she wanted a break.
"I’m tired of school, and I want to take some time off," she said. "That’s pretty much the long and short of it. I’ll find out what it's like to have a weekend."
In the meantime, Peace said she planned to get a job in Lawrence where she could work with people.
"This is where my life is," she said. "I like this town."
Jed Baughman, Lawrence senior, said his first priority was finding a job, but he would be happy to stay in Lawrence if he received a good offer.
"I don't have a job lined up right yet, but I’m trying to get one in the area," he said. "I’ve
circulated my resume quite thoroughly."
Baughman said Lawrence had maintained a sense of urban culture and was a good place to live.
Warren Bowles, Wasco, Calif., senior, said he planned to find a job in Kansas City and would commute daily from Lawrence.
Although he was not looking forward to the driving time, Bowles said he would enjoy living in Lawrence for the short term.
"I like the whole college atmosphere," he said. "I don't know if I could live in any other city in Kansas."
Thomas Alexander, San Francisco senior,
said his plans to stay in Lawrence were firm.
"I'm not going any place," he said.
Alexander originally moved to Lawrence because the school district could provide the necessary services for his son, who is autistic.
"From a series of serendipitous events I got the opportunity to return to college." Alexander said. He said he planned to be a high school history teacher.
Alexander said he played guitar for the Majestics' Rhythm Revue, a local band that recently opened for the Fabulous Thunderbirds.
A college town also has opportunities for musicians.
Ryan David, Independence senior, said he hoped to get three years' job experience in Lawrence before beginning graduate school.
"Hopefully, I can work in Haworth for a couple years," he said. "There or the Med Center
would be great."
David said he planned to attend graduate school for both an M.D. and a Ph.D.
"Everybody says I'm going to get complacent once I start getting money," he said. "It shouldn't be too hard to get back in the grind."
David said he was looking forward to hanging out with his roommates, who would still be students.
"I'll watch them stress out over tests, while I'm hanging out," he said.
David said he liked this area for permanent residence.
"Lawrence is a good place." he said.
David said he wanted practice medicine in a small town close to both KU basketball and Kansas City.
Kelsey Roberts, Dodge Center, Minn., senior, said she was staying in Lawrence to attend the University of Kansas School of Law.
"I want to get a better understanding of the law before I make a solid decision on what area I choose to go into," she said.
Meredith Dick, St. Louis senior, said she planned to graduate in December but would stay in Lawrence until her lease runs out in August.
After that, it's off to Costa Rica and Spain to teach English.
"I like it here, but it's kind of like my time is up" she said
Most seniors seemed open-minded and optimistic about their futures.
"I'm only 22," Peace said. "I don't have to have it figured out just yet.
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The MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY gift shop is having a graduation sale. May 13,14,15,&16 25% off most items.
Spooner Hall • 14th & Jayhawk Blvd. Monday - Saturday 9-5, Sunday 1-5
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