By TISA MASON
Fort Hays State University President
If you’ve ever strolled through the Fort Hays State University campus during the warmer months, you’ve likely noticed the vibrant colors that line our walkways and flower beds — geraniums, lantanas, ornamental peppers, and more, arranged with care and precision. What may look like a simple seasonal refresh is, in fact, the result of countless hours of planning and hands-on work by an exceptional team of dedicated professionals: our Grounds Department.
Led by Grounds Manager Brenden Ibarra, this team works year-round to ensure our campus remains beautiful, functional, and welcoming — not only for our students, faculty, and staff, but also for the thousands of guests who visit each year. Supporting Brenden are two key leaders: Trevor Deets, our Grounds Supervisor, and Cody Norton, our Greenhouse and Landscape Supervisor.
Brenden became the manager of the grounds department last summer. His story is a true Tiger journey: he joined the crew as a student employee right out of high school, earned his agronomy degree from FHSU in 2019, and worked as an equipment operator for four years before stepping into his current role.
Brenden hit the ground running, implementing a cross-training model that encourages the team to work as one unified crew. “I wanted everyone to have the same experience going forward,” he shared. “We’re all working at the same job. We’re one big team.” His leadership, like his work ethic, reflects his belief in collaboration and an ethic of shared success. “When people start taking pride in their work and you can see the same pride I have showing up in other employees, it makes everything a lot more fun.”
Cody, who graduated from FHSU in 2015 with a biology degree, now leads the greenhouse and planting efforts, following in the footsteps of Donna Augustine, who retired last fall after 37 years of service. Cody worked closely with Donna and carries forward her passion and commitment. He collaborates with longtime employee Mike Messeck and a rotating crew of hardworking student employees who help maintain the lush landscapes our university is known for.
Cody summed it up beautifully: “It’s nice to be able to see everything we do and say, ‘Wow, we did this. We made it look nice.”
Trevor has been part of the team for nine years and has witnessed many changes over that time, including an entirely new roster of crew members. A graduate of NCK Tech with training in electrical technology and construction, Trevor brought with him a valuable skillset that extends beyond landscaping.
Trevor supervises a tight-knit crew — Travis Dreher, Dalton Pfannenstiel, Jude Lang, Gunnar Hearne, and, until recently, Doug Haberman, who retired after years of dedicated service to FHSU.
The work of the grounds department isn’t just essential — it’s visible, much like the work of our dedicated housekeeping staff. As Cody pointed out, “Our job is probably one of the few jobs on campus that everybody sees. We are definitely in the public eye.”
That visibility creates moments of connection. Campus visitors often stop to share compliments or thank the team for their work. Those gestures mean a lot. They’re reminders that their effort matters — and is noticed.
“Anything you see outside,” Trevor shared recently, “Grounds pretty much takes care of it.” That simple statement captures the incredible range of responsibilities his team shoulders — from planting and irrigation to snow removal and storm cleanup.
A couple of weeks ago, for example, a massive tree fell on campus due to high winds. Within a short time, the crew mobilized with chainsaws, a skid steer, a bucket truck, and a trailer to remove the debris as safely and efficiently as possible.
Beyond landscaping and emergency response, the grounds team also repairs and maintains their own equipment. “All the equipment breaks at some point,” Trevor said. “So, we have to have someone to fix it, too.”
Their role as a one-stop shop for everything outdoors — from planting to plowing, trimming to troubleshooting — is vital to the look, feel, and function of our campus. Every perfectly trimmed lawn or blooming flower bed at Fort Hays State is the result of deep pride, quiet dedication, and a whole lot of behind-the-scenes teamwork.
Trevor summed up his team’s efforts at FHSU very simply: “I take a lot of pride in my work. At the end of the day, I see what we accomplished. It is a good feeling.”
We are grateful to Brenden, Trevor, Cody, and the entire crew for their commitment to excellence. They truly embody the spirit of the Tiger Nation — steady, resilient, and always working to make our home on the plains a little more beautiful every day.