The Grounds Department

The SJU Grounds Department consists of the grounds superintendent (Br. Mark Kelly); the grounds supervisor (Gary Pflueger); a landscape manager and master gardener (John Elton); a grounds worker (Rich Froehle); and a part-time mechanic (Louis Himsl).  Aided by an energetic and dedicated crew of student employees, the grounds department maintains 118 acres of lawns and playing fields; 16 ¾ acres of parking lots; 6 ½ miles of sidewalks; 7 miles of roadways; and, in the winter time, hand shovels nearly an acre of stairs, ramps, and loading docks.

The grounds crew takes justifiable pride in the appearance of the campus.  Johnnies don't drive or park on the grass.

Association with the Abbey’s logging operation allows grounds personnel to be assigned to logging if snow removal is not required in the winter time – and vise versa – logging personnel can be brought over to assist in a snow emergency.

The presence of the botany department and the arboretum provide valuable information and assistance in diagnosing distressed trees or parasites in turf.