Keeping STU Beautiful

by Kara Doiron, BA IV

Dave Dunbar, Groundskeeper

Everyone at St. Thomas knows Dave Dunbar. Students, faculty, and staff see him, rain, shine, snow, or hail out pruning, clipping, and generally tiding up the grounds. He's a familiar ad cheery presence. "Just about everyone says hi as they walk by," he says. "I might not know their name but they know me."

Dunbar is STU's groundskeeper, responsible for keeping the campus, including Rigby Hall and STU's five houses on Windsor Street, looking beautiful. It is a job that requires devotion, long hours, and a love of the outdoors.

A love of the outdoors is needed when your schedule revolves around the weather. On the day we met, Dunbar planned to mow grass but the sky was promising rain and was not supporting his plans. In the summer months he is an early riser so he can water the lawns and flower beds. In the winter snow gets him out of bed early as he aims to have campus paths snow free by 8 a.m. so students in Vanier and Harrington Hall can go to breakfast in their slippers.

Despite battles with Mother Nature, Dunbar's love for the outdoors in all seasons and weather is obvious. He believes the worst job for him would be in an office setting. He has spent his whole life working outdoors. He worked for sixteen years in the family business, Scott Nursery, before starting his own company, Dave Dunbar Landscaping, a venture he still runs at nights and on weekends.

He takes extra pride in the flower bed in front of Holy Cross House. Over the past few years, he has shaped a silver cross out of its flowers. This year he formed yellow letters spelling "STU" among a bed of purple flowers. Dunbar also enjoys keeping the courtyard as a showcase of the university. He believes it is there for the students to enjoy. He says the students who leave Fredericton in the summer "really don't get to enjoy the campus. They leave in the spring before it looks good and when they come back in the fall, the leaves are starting to fall."

St. Thomas hired Dunbar on a contract four years ago. The quality of his work was quickly noticed and a year ago, STU hired him on full time. Fred Wallace, manager of university service, facilities, and purchasing, speaks highly of Dunbar. "Dave does excellent work. It's a real plus for us to have him here." Wallace says he notices things need to be done before anyone else and goes out of his way to ensure that STU looks beautiful.

It is all in a day's work for Dunbar. As we stand in the courtyard and scan the scenery, its beauty still takes me by surprise. Pink and purple flowers pop out of the background of lush greenery and stately red-brick buildings. "It may look beautiful to you, but when I look at it, I see a hundred things that need to be done!" And then, in characteristic fashion, he catches the eyes of a passing student and says "Hi". Dave Dunbar is a busy man, but he still talks time to smile and greet everyone who crosses his path.