Grounds Management Society Recognizes SMU for Excellence

The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) recognized Southern Methodist University in Dallas with an Honor Award in the Society's 2008 Green Star Awards competition. The award was given in the University and College Grounds category for exceptional grounds maintenance.

BALTIMORE – The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) has recognized Southern Methodist University in Dallas with an Honor Award in the Society's 2008 Green Star Awards competition.

Dallas Hall - Campus BeautyThe award was given in the University and College Grounds category for exceptional grounds maintenance. Winners were honored during the Society’s 2008 School of Grounds Management held in conjunction with the GIE+EXPO in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 22-25.

SMU resides on 170 acres of tree lined beauty in the Trinity Blacklands of North Texas. The desire for an evergreen campus presented a host of challenges because of black clay soil, heavily shaded areas and heavy foot traffic.

"This southern gem rose to the challenge and implemented various procedures that provided a solution to the problems," said the PGMS in announcing the award. "By air spading, using specialty grasses and plants, the grounds crew was able to create an appealing landscape of red yuccas, vitex, roses, tulips and a variety of perennials. The hard work has definitely paid off and has exceeded the expectations of the university’s administration."

Kevin L. Dilliard is in charge of landscaping and grounds maintenance at SMU.

The PGMS Green Star Awards program brings national recognition to grounds maintained with a high degree of excellence, complimenting other national landscape award programs that recognize outstanding landscape design and construction. This year's program acknowledged the nation's top manicured grounds in settings ranging from government buildings to amusement parks to universities. Overall, PGMS presented eight Grand Awards, its highest honor, as well as 11 Honor Awards in seven categories of competition.

Founded in 1911, PGMS is an individual membership society of grounds professionals advancing the grounds management profession through education and professional development.

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