|
|
 |
 |
Judy Minor, landscape artist, helps transform the WJC campus
By Patricia Z. Petty
Visitors, students, faculty and staff frequently comment regarding the beauty of the flowers that enhance the Jewell campus. Obviously a great deal of thought and effort is given to keeping the floral designs lush and healthy. The key to the success of the innovative seasonal color and design schemes is the result of the vision of Judy Minor and her team.
Judy and her husband, Lee, a former WJC professor of psychology, live at the corner of Kansas and Jewell streets, at the bottom of the campus hill behind Marston Hall. They have seen many changes to the
|
|
campus including the closing of the Kansas Street campus entrance in 1990 due to the construction of White Science Center.
With the creation of the fountain entrance accessible off Mill Street, the hard-packed dirt of the former entrance and adjacent hillside gradually reverted to grass and weeds. Mowers had difficulty keeping the grass clipped, as there were many large rocks scattered through the area. In addition, the layers of limestone found in the soil created natural shelves. During rainstorms, the water would hit the limestone deposits behind Marston Hall and flow down the natural slope of the former entrance. In the spring and fall, a wetland situation developed when the water could not be absorbed into the soil. Icy conditions were common on Kansas Street.
Taking it upon herself to beautify what had become an eyesore, Judy created what she called her "guerilla garden," planting flowers and native plants in the former entrance that would withstand the various seasons and also assist in naturally diverting the flow of water.
The tornado of May 2003 devastated the area, and the loss of so many trees on campus brought to light more landscaping issues that needed attention. Dr. David Sallee, president of the college, was determined that something be done to bring color to the campus. Ron Dempsey, college vice president for finance and operations, lived on Jewell Street across from the Minors and had seen first-hand Judy's work with the "guerilla garden." Ron asked Judy if she would be interested in doing for the campus what she had done for the small area adjacent to Kansas Street.
|
|
Judy signed on for the task of developing a landscape to help transform the campus. During the winter of 2003, she worked on some designs and was ready to begin implementing those plans beginning in March, 2004. Judy's goals included creating eye-catching displays that used native plants and flowers that would also attract butterflies.
Along with her fellow team members Shirley Reneau and Anne Nickel, Judy focused initially on the area surrounding Grand River Chapel. Anne, with a background in biology, had great interest in prairie plants and the ecology of the prairie. Reviewing the existing foliage, she determined what was worth keeping, what should be removed, and researched what new items might be introduced. The lack of shade trees in the aftermath of the tornado made an initial assessment of the property crucial to the success of any new plantings.
 |
|
Grand River July 2004 |
Grand River July 2007 |
Thought was given to how the campus fountain entrance could be made more appealing, as well as how to create some focal points around the Mabee Center. With spring Commencement approaching, plantings began at the fountain entrance so that parents and friends attending Commencement exercises would see a more inviting, welcoming entrance.
Once the initial plantings were established, Judy traveled to the Missouri Wildflower Garden in Brazito, Mo., about 10 miles south of Jefferson City, and returned with a van load of plants native to Missouri. The decision was made to use native plants. Once the plants have been established, the plants are self-sustaining and can survive in all of Missouri's climatic changes.
Judy had started the butterfly garden at Martha LaFite Thompson Nature Sanctuary in Liberty and was anxious to establish plants on the WJC campus that would attract butterflies. Flowers and plants were
|
|
selected that would encourage visits by the delicate creatures and now are a source of delight not only to the butterflies but to those campus visitors taken with the beautiful flowers and their exotic companions.
|
The method Judy employs to create eye-catching pots includes the "thriller, filler and spiller" philosophy. As Judy explains, "The thriller catches your attention, the filler 'fills in' the gaps and the spiller 'spills out' of the container." She also recommends seeing what plants look really good and healthy when you visit the nursery and asking questions of the nursery staff.
Additional members of the Jewell landscaping team are Lorrie DeLay and Dana Peterman, who work on the flowers over the summer and who are employed in campus food service during the academic year. Judy's husband, Lee, is also |
frequently pressed into service: "Lee does much of the heavy lifting," Judy says. The Jewell grounds crew, headed by Nathan Spencer, also provides significant support to the "flower team." Nathan and Judy meet regularly to discuss their mutual plans for the campus. Nathan's year-round crew includes Ray Walder, Ray Deller, Donnie Bell and Claudiu Chiseilta; their ranks are enhanced with summer staff.
Judy hopes that people will not only enjoy viewing the floral arrangements, but also consider incorporating some of the flowers and native plants into their own gardens. Future goals for the continued beautification of the campus include planting more perennials to reduce the expense of replanting and the introduction of more irises into the landscape near Grand River Chapel. Judy continues to research native plants and plans to introduce additions to the existing designs.
The next time you visit, please take time to walk the Quad and stroll through the campus so that you may delight in the |
|
visual majesty that Judy and her hard-working team have created at William Jewell.
 |
Click here for photos of some of the current plantings on campus with descriptions of the flowers and plants incorporated into the designs and a "how to" guide to duplicating the planters yourself. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
