Welcome to the Cincinatti Branch of the Professional Grounds Management Society

The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) recognized Xavier University with a Grand Award in the 2006 Green Star Awards competition. The School of Grounds Management held in conjunction with the Green Industry Exposition took place in Columbus, Ohio from Wednesday November 1-Saturday November 4. The award was given in the Urban University Grounds category for exceptional grounds maintenance and was accepted by Walt Bonvell.

Cincinnati's Xavier University was recognized most notably for providing a lush oasis in an urban environment. Within the 148-acre campus there are about 20 acres of open space. Eight of those are made up of athletic fields on the west side of campus. Maintenance of the campus is divided into three areas with each area assigned a team of a grounds foreman and three groundskeepers.

Walt Bonvell, a grounds management professional at Xavier University, currently serves as the PGMS North Central Regional Director. His grounds team have overcome the many obstacles that this hilly, urban environment provides to maintain a place of beauty for students, faculty, and staff alike.

	PGMS Past President Ellen Newell, CGM presents North Central Regional Director Walt Bonvell with a 2006 Green Star Award for Xavier University.
	(left to right)-Collison Stewart (Paul Brown Stadium-Landscape Coordinator), Ray Mirrizi (Cincinnati State Facilities Director), Don Savard (CGM-w/Salesianum School, DE).
	Tom Smith with Spring Grove Cemetery-Cicinnati.
	Greater Cincinnati Branch Members-(left to right)-John Evans (Ohio Masonic Home), Ray Mirizzi (Cinti State), Walt Bonvell (Xavier University),Tom Smith (Spring Grove Cemetery), and Whitney Huang (Spring Grove Cemetery).
	PGMS President Mike Mongon,CGM, Jenny Gulick (Pres. Greater Cinti Branch and Project Manager w/Davey Tree) and Executive Director Tom Shaner.