Thank you, University Facilities! W&L Facilities staff work hard all year round, but during spring and summer, they put in extra time to make sure special events go off without a hitch.

By Lindsey Nair
June 6, 2022

The final weeks of the academic year are a whirlwind for all faculty, staff and students at Washington and Lee University. But today we’d like to spotlight one group that puts long hours and lots of energy into making sure campus is in great shape for a long series of special spring events: University Facilities!

This crew does essential work all year round, but spring brings Alumni Weekend, Law Commencement, Baccalaureate, Undergraduate Commencement and much more to the W&L campus. Whether they’re keeping lawns and gardens neat and trim, setting up (and taking down) hundreds of chairs for special events, or carrying boxes of diplomas to the stage for Commencement, the awesome folks in Facilities do it all efficiently and professionally.

As students leave and employees reflect on another successful academic year, this seemed like a great time to say THANK YOU on behalf of the entire university community!

 

 

Washington and Lee University Facilities staff

 

(L-R): Nick Yakish, grounds and automotive shop supervisor, and Gabe Clark, lead grounds worker, trim shrubs on campus.

 

Lead Sanitation and Recycling Worker John Coffey transports chairs for Commencement set-up.

 

(L-R): Todd Stinnett and Michael Rhodenizer look on as James Cauley hangs a Williams School sign for graduation. Stinnett and Cauley are carpenters and Rhodenizer is a lead carpenter in University Facilities.

 

Grounds Worker Keith Moore keeps the Front Lawn looking neat for Commencement.

 

University Facilities employees David Wells (custodian), Mike Cash (HVAC/plumbing), Kelly Markham (grounds worker), Blair Huffman (lead custodian), Bill Ramey (poer plant utility worker), Debbie Weinerth (director of Facilities Services) and Tracy Huffer (maintenance manager) take down chairs after Commencement.

 

Grounds Worker Larry Hostetter blows grass clippings off the sidewalk next to the Colonnade.

 

A group of Facilities employees sets up the stage for Commencement.

 

From left, foreground: Senior Electrician Ora Youngblood, Gardener Brandy Murphy and HVAC/Plumber Lucas Arthur help put away tables after a campus event.