By Monty Siekerman
Ohio Northern has received a beautification award from the Keep Hardin County Beautiful Commission.
Pictured is Mark Bricker, manager of the grounds department, standing by large pots of annuals near the entrance to campus on Main Street. Marc Staley is general manager of the physical plant. Gigantic containers of flowers can be found in several locations and fountains at ONU are surrounded by colorful plants.
Grounds department personnel plant 3,500 annuals, 6,000 spring bulbs, and 500 mums annually.
Tending pretty plants is only part of the grounds job on the 320-acre campus. There are 190 acres to mow (and weed/fertilize), 120 varieties of trees and shrubs to care for, and many athletic fields to keep in shape. Woods cover 16 acres. Four lakes total 9.5 acres.
Winter brings snow...and snow removal by the groundsmen for 18 miles of sidewalks and 40 acres of blacktop.
Caring for all of this year round is accomplished by 14 groundsmen, a foreman and a mechanic, plus four students added during the summer.
College campuses are known as beauty spots in cities and towns, and Ada/ONU is no exception as proven by the recent award.
