General Services honored for antique truck water feature

An antique truck water feature on Pennsylvania College of Technology’s main campus was recognized recently with an Honor Award by the Professional Grounds Management Society.

The feature, which was designed and constructed outside College Avenue Labs by the college’s General Services staff in 2018, received the award in the Small Site category of the society’s 2023 Green Star Awards national competition.

Winners were honored during the PGMS 2023 Awards Celebration, held Oct. 19 in conjunction with the society’s annual conference and exposition in Louisville, Kentucky. Accepting the award on behalf of the college were Don J. Luke, director of facilities operations; Chad L. Karstetter, horticulturist/grounds and motorpool manager; and Brooke M. Barton, horticulturist.

“Our horticulture and grounds team does an amazing job beautifying and maintaining our campus grounds,” said Timothy Rissel, executive director of general services. “I am very proud of the team for taking on the challenge, and I am excited to see them bring home such a prestigious honor on their first attempt in this national competition.”

The 1949 Dodge truck used in the feature was purchased from Bill Lee Jr., of Jersey Shore; the aged lettering was done by Todd Moore, retention marketing specialist; and the clear coat (to slow the weathering process) was applied by collision repair instructor Roy H. Klinger.

Karstetter also credited General Services horticulture, motorpool, electrical and plumbing staff for their work on the project. He said the concept arose from a morning meeting with Andrea L. Dildine, a General Services colleague who has since retired.

“Andrea and I started discussing how my family and I were visiting a local campground that had an antique truck with a few fall flowers, and people camping were taking their pictures with the truck,” Karstetter said. “With that small idea, the GS horticulture/motorpool team went to work, and the outcome was what you see today.”

The Professional Grounds Management Society’s Green Star Awards program brings national recognition to grounds maintained with a high degree of excellence, complementing other national landscape award programs that recognize outstanding landscape design and construction.

Overall, PGMS presented four Grand Awards, its highest honor, and 12 Honor Awards. One institution received special recognition and was awarded the Sustainability Award for achieving top ratings in sustainable operational practices.

Serving the profession for over 100 years, PGMS is a society of grounds professionals dedicated to advancing the grounds management profession through education and professional development.

For more about the Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education and a special mission affiliate of Penn State, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.