Listen Here
By Libby Sapp and Eli Schroeder
With graduation season approaching, excitement builds for students and staff alike. Carter Sapp, a campus grounds crew member for nine months, plays a crucial role in preparing the campus for this celebrated event, alongside his team.
“We take a lot of pride in what we do,” Carter said. “It is an honor to be a part of graduates’ special day by making sure the campus looks nice for friends and families.”
Graduation is a moment of pride for students and their families. The ground crew knows the day’s significance and works hard to ensure everything looks perfect. From mowing lawns to planting flowers and polishing the campus arch, their to-do list is long but meaningful.
The crew starts planting flowers in late April, allowing them to bloom before graduation. The arch, a key photo spot for graduates, gets special care to look its best for pictures and memories. Every campus corner is inspected and touched up to reflect the day’s importance.
Sapp says he enjoys watching the transformation of the campus throughout the year.
“My favorite part of the job is making the campus look nice for each season,” he said. “There’s something really rewarding about seeing how much the environment can change with a little care and attention.”
After the ceremony and final photos, the ground crew quickly resumes work. The following Monday is devoted to post-graduation clean-up, restoring the campus and preparing for the summer months.
