The Morningstar Memorial Courtyard has more than 500 engraved names on bricks and benches filling the serene space. Mature pines and locust trees provide shade for raised and ground level gardens full of roses, hydrangea, sumac, and daylily for a beautiful place to stop and contemplate.

Front entrance boasts one of 4 fully designed and planned bodies of water. Each body of water has a full aeration system, rip rap and weekly pond management. Entry sign is flanked by lilac hedges and juniper for a year-round manicured entrance. The daylily, sage and grasses bloom thorough out the summer months.

Sculptor Julie Rotblatt Amrany of Chicago created the bronze bust of Rosalind Franklin highlighted in the center island. We recreated the DNA photograph in the paver walkway beneath the sculpture to mimic the first photographic breakthrough by Rosalind Franklin. That same image is emblazoned on the outside of the building next to the University name.

Simple yet resilient plant selections have stood the test of time at the entrance to the University. The daylily, sage, hardy pink roses, and wispy grasses are planted in a sweeping arc against the curve of the main building entryway.

We employ salt tolerant grasses and perennials to protect against the extensive use of ice melting materials for winter safety. Colors and textures repeated throughout the campus provide continuity.

Lush ground cover, native prairie grasses and a large Copper Beech tree give a soft edge to the interior courtyard of the University grounds. This café and study space is warm and inviting with well-manicured green space interspersed with comfortable benches and hardscapes.

Three dormitories hold 420 students surrounded by lush old shade trees and terraced gardens. Over the past 20 years we have removed close to 50 old and diseased trees to embrace the healthy and abundant shade trees that dot the property. A true integrated pest management program and pruning rotation is in place for all trees on campus.

Standing atop the elevated fallow pasture next to disc golf basket number 3 you can see the undulation of the hills and ponds surrounding the dormitories and campus buildings. Turf fertilization program includes the one app fertilizer in early April along with a pre-emergent weed control and three post-emergent herbicide applications.

We maintain the legacy waterfall on the north end of the campus. The vintage rugged styling of the original design is to match the mid-century look of the old Federal shelter on the banks of the pond. Navy/Veterans Administration pavilion building, gazebo, bridge, waterfall ponds and walkways are admired often by students and faculty.

Upper and lower athletic fields were designed to accentuate the natural feel of the campus. The prairie and fallow turf areas are mowed twice per season. An 18-hole disc golf course cuts through the prairie areas. The fallow pasture gives a softness to the rolling knolls while reducing fuels and fertilizers.

All areas of campus have beautifully designed planting beds next to the buildings to frame the architecture and soften the feel of the metal and glass buildings. These full plantings bloom constantly throughout 3 seasons. Left uncut throughout the winter, these plantings add to the winter interest.

Clean grass edges and well-manicured planting beds of perennials were incorporated to soften the harsh edges of sidewalk and frame the walking spaces of the campus. Every detail is attended to including colorful planters at the entrances and well-kept shrubbery below the University signage.