Union’s landscape specialist and horticulturalist, Constance Schmitz, has received the newly minted UNITAS Community Building Award in recognition of her involvement with Octopus’s Garden.
“Connie has been a driving force behind the growth of the new garden. Her dedication to this project helps build a better community,” said Jim Underwood, a member of UNITAS and the retired Chauncey Winters Research Professor of Political Science. “It’s students, staff and faculty working together to produce good food that serves Café Ozone and the entire campus.”
Building healthier communities is one of UNITAS’s two primary objectives, the other being strong support of diversity. Each year, the group gives its Diversity Leadership Award.
The new prize, which will be officially presented to Schmitz at opening convocation in September, will also be awarded yearly to a deserving faculty member, staff member or student.
“I am honored,” Schmitz said. “I’m fortunate to have a wonderful group behind me. With many hands, the chores become lighter.”