MSU and the SSC Services for Education grounds department recognized nationally
By MSU Public Relations | Jan 24, 2025
MURRAY, Ky. – Murray State University and the SSC Services for Education grounds department has been honored as a Grand Award Winner for a Green Star Award by the Professional Grounds Management Society, in recognition of their outstanding work on Murray State's campus. SSC has partnered with Murray State since 2020, providing custodial and grounds maintenance services for its campus. This is the second consecutive year that SSC has achieved a Grand Award.
The award was given in the University & College Grounds (mid-size: 201-499 acres) category for exceptional grounds maintenance and is the highest award given. Winners were honored during the society’s 2024 Awards Celebration, in conjunction with the Annual Conference & Equip Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky.
As part of the recognition, it was noted that “Murray State University’s campus is unique in its geographical location which provides the energy of an exciting, state of the art university with the feel of a welcoming hometown college. Murray State’s athletic complexes coupled with a vibrant landscape, draws in the eye and invites the onlooker to explore the campus’ never ending natural beauty.”
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.
The goal of the SSC Grounds Department on campus is to provide an environment that fosters Murray State’s mission, with clean, safe and inviting outdoor spaces that are encouraging for students, staff and the community.
Sustainable support by SSC includes one mowing team that operates a fully electric crew, which focuses their attention on core academic areas of campus to reduce noise.
SSC also facilitates the University’s recycling program. Cardboard and paper are collected daily and a community recycle day is held monthly for community members to drop off recyclable items. The grounds crew offloads items, separates them and bales them for pickup.
“We are so proud to have SSC as partners at Murray State,” said Murray State University Director of Facilities Management Jason Youngblood. “The condition of our grounds and landscaping provide visual appeal to our campus population and visitors, and they do an excellent job grooming and maintaining over 250 acres of our main campus. We are very proud of their accomplishment in receiving another national award, recognizing their hard work and dedication to Murray State.”