UWindsor Grounds Supervisor Kevin Kosempel (left) stands with Lin Li (center) and Shanna Howse (right) of Facility Services near the Circle and Four Squares landscaping element. (KYLE ARCHIBALD/The University of Windsor)
By John-Paul Bonadonna
For Kevin Kosempel, Grounds Supervisor for the University of Windsor, overseeing the Facility Services team that maintains campus grounds is a source of pride, artistry, and legacy.
“People taking pictures in front of our beds, especially graduation pictures, that’s always going to be there for the lifetime of that person,” remarks Kosempel.
“There’s a lot of pride in what we do because we know it’s going to live on.”
Mornings across campus often feature the droning hum of a mower or utility cart operated by UWindsor grounds personnel working towards beautifying the lawns and flower beds, and ensuring paved surfaces are safe, clean and neat.
With over 120 acres of campus and satellite sites under his care, Kosempel leads a dedicated team responsible for everything from lawn care and pruning, to snow removal and sustainable landscaping. But the heart of his work is crafting spaces where beauty thrives, memories are made, and the University's values literally take root.
“We don’t like to waste in the grounds department,” Kosempel says with conviction.
It’s a philosophy that underpins every planter, bed, and flower across campus.
For instance, the vibrant annuals showcased during convocation aren't a one-time extravagance. They're reused, maintained, and replanted throughout the year.
This commitment to sustainability is echoed in the little-known greenhouse which sits atop the Biology Building, where plants are nurtured into colourful and often towering greenery, saved from what would be their annual fate in the harsh winter cold.
Kevin Kosempel inspects a plant in the greenhouse located on the roof of the Biology Building.
Kosempel’s crew, made up of five groundskeepers and three gardeners, bring his same passion to their work.
“They’re proud of what they do,” beams Kosempel.
“How campus looks reflects on them and on us as a whole.”
That personal investment translates directly into the striking, seasonal displays around campus that often serve as backdrops for convocation photos and alumni visits.Kosempel’s pride deepens when alumni approach his team with gratitude, often marveling at how far the campus aesthetics have come.
He notes several areas as signature showcase beds, specifically Circle and Four Squares east of Dillon Hall, the Odette frontage, and the Law beds north of Leddy Library. All are treated with the care of a botanical gallery.
Each October, his team begins planning for the spring, selecting new plant material to create fresh visual experiences year after year. Careful planning sees perennial beds bloom in staggered cycles throughout the summer creating a living calendar of colour.
Sustainability at UWindsor isn’t just environmental, it’s also social.
“Once in a while, we’ll put picnic tables out here between Dillon Hall and the Chrysler buildings, and as soon as we do, they’re full,” says Kosempel.
“People love coming out and sitting outside. It becomes a social area, so it serves as a different type of sustainability in terms of creating that connection with the outdoors and nature.”
Shanna Howse (left), Kevin Kosempel and Lin Li (right) in the courtyard between Dillon Hall and Chrysler Hall Tower. (KYLE ARCHIBALD/The University of Windsor)
Even the university’s trees are getting a thoughtful refresh. A new “tree charm” initiative will replace ground-level memorial plaques with a more holistic and inclusive approach to memorialization and education in English, Latin, and Indigenous languages.
Kosempel’s pride in the University’s grounds isn’t boastful. It’s deeply rooted in the joy of seeing someone pause beside a flowerbed, snap a photo, or simply sit and enjoy the view. For he and his team, each petal and trimmed hedge is a lasting mark on the living landscape of UWindsor’s campus.