The University of Chicago received a Grand Award from the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) for exceptional grounds maintenance at their urban university campus. The PGMS recognized the University of Chicago's commitment to maintaining natural beauty through sustainable practices that minimize pesticide, fertilizer, fossil fuel, and water use. Steven Frank, the university's landscape supervisor, said receiving this award recognizes their staff's efforts and the university's commitment to enriching student, staff, and visitor experiences through green spaces.

1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Molly Baldwin
mollybaldwin@assnhqtrs.com
410-223-2861
PGMS SALUTES UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
FOR GROUNDS MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE
BALTIMORE (November 2011) - The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) recognized the
University of Chicago in Ill. with a Grand Award in the Society's 2011 Green Star Awards competition.
The award was given in the Urban University Grounds category for exceptional grounds maintenance.
Winners were honored during the Society’s 2011 Awards Dinner held Oct. 28 in conjunction with the School
of Grounds Management & GIE+EXPO in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 26-29.
The University of Chicago is committed to maintaining the natural beauty of its campus with
sustainable practices that seek to minimize use of pesticides, fertilizer, fossil fuels, and supplied water. In
1997 the American Public Gardens Association gave the University campus an official botanical garden
designation. The botanical garden beds, which now number about 20, beautify the space and educate the
visiting public about flora with labeled plant selections.
“This is a great honor to receive,” said Steven Frank, landscape services supervisor for the
university. “It not only recognizes the efforts put in by our staff, but also the University of Chicago’s
commitment toward enriching their students’, staff and visitors’ lives through green spaces.”
The 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. Overall, PGMS presented six Grand Awards, its highest honor, as well
as seven Honor Awards and two Merit Awards in seven categories of competition.
About The Professional Grounds Management Society
Founded in 1911, PGMS is an individual membership society of grounds professionals dedicated to advancing the
grounds management profession through education and professional development. Further information on PGMS, the Green
Star Award Program and the annual School of Grounds Management & GIE+EXPO is available online at www.pgms.org.