West Texas A&M and SSC Create an Oasis on the High Plains

Across the vast, flat stretch of the Texas Panhandle, the campus of West Texas A&M University (WT) stands out as something unexpected, an oasis. Shaded paths, vibrant plantings, iconic views, and welcoming outdoor spaces soften the high plains environment and surround students with beauty, comfort, and community.

Rikel notes that the shift from vehicle traffic to pedestrian-friendly space changed everything. The fountain, clock tower, and tree-lined mall now anchor an environment that feels collegiate, welcoming, and serene, an oasis in every sense.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work SSC and our teams do together. We operate in tandem, and it shows in how the campus looks and feels every single day.”

His perspective reinforces the idea that the campus is more than its landscape features; it reflects WT’s identity and long-range vision for student life.

“When you step onto this campus, you forget everything around us. It becomes a walkable, inviting place that feels like a true oasis in the Panhandle.”

He describes West Texas A&M as a place that consistently opens doors, a campus that invites people to grow, discover, and step into new opportunities.

“This campus has a way of introducing you to new experiences and new perspectives. It’s a place where people come to learn who they are and who they can become.” 

Green sees the campus as a landscape that encourages personal reflection, where every space, from the pedestrian mall to the tucked-away study spots, contributes to a sense of possibility. He views the campus not simply as maintained grounds, but as an environment that inspires, welcomes, and supports transformation.

Green emphasizes how the campus continually evolves; each project, planting, and improvement, adding character and depth. In his eyes, the oasis that WT and SSC have created reflects the University’s larger mission: to help people see their potential and step boldly into their next chapter.

Led by Candelaria “Candy” Rea, a WT alum who rose from student worker to Grounds Manager, the team embodies the values of loyalty, pride, and family, the three words she uses to describe what the NALP award means to them.

Rea’s team is remarkably long tenured, with many members serving five, ten, or even thirty-five years on campus. Their collective experience creates a culture she describes as a “well-oiled machine,” one built on trust, communication, and shared purpose.

“When you invest in your team and you train them, you trust them, and you listen to them, they will give you results that exceed your expectations.”

He also envisions continuing to expand the oasis feel into student residential areas, adding shade, color, and gathering spaces that enhance daily campus life.

“Our team truly makes a difference. These outdoor spaces shape a student’s day, their mood, even their sense of belonging. We take pride in creating places that encourage them to step outside and enjoy campus.”

Together, Rea and Auburg emphasize that the true strength of West Texas A&M’s landscape lies not in any individual leader, but in the team itself. These are the people who show up before dawn, who work through heat, wind, and winter cold, and who care deeply about the impression WT makes on every student and visitor. Their craftsmanship, consistency, and heart are what make the campus feel like an oasis, one that welcomes, comforts, and inspires all who walk its grounds.

 Across some of WT’s most water-intensive months, the campus saw multi-million-gallon reductions, driven by:

• • More precise scheduling
  • ET-based (evapotranspiration) irrigation strategies
  • Gradual system optimization across the grounds

These improvements highlight SSC’s commitment to stewardship – preserving WT’s oasis not just for today, but for the long-term sustainability of the region. Even with early-stage data, the direction is clear: WT is using water more wisely, more efficiently, and with a greater respect for the environment it calls home.

“West Texas A&M deserves a great deal of credit for this progress. The University recognized that its irrigation system was aging and that replacement parts were becoming unavailable, and they made a proactive commitment to modernize it. WT invested in the new controllers and supported the upgrades from the start. That kind of forward-thinking partnership is what allows improvements like this to happen.”​

– Brandon Haley, Vice President of Grounds Management at SSC

The NALP Silver Award highlights that this isn’t just landscaping – it’s stewardship, vision, partnership and the embodiment of WT and SSC’s shared values.

It is a sanctuary in the high plains, a true WT oasis built through teamwork, tradition, and the belief that the land around us shapes the experience within us.

“The achievements recognized by this award reflect who we are at SSC. Excellence doesn’t happen by accident; it comes from strong processes, clear standards, and a team that believes in them. My heart has always been in customer service, and this team understands that service is not an obligation; it’s a privilege. Their dedication proves that ‘going beyond customer expectations isn’t just a catch phrase; it’s something we live out in the way we care for this campus every single day. And I want to acknowledge SSC leadership for their constant support. Their investment in our people allows us to do more than maintain a campus, we help shape an experience.” 

– Carlo Vazquez, SSC Senior Facilities Director at West Texas A&M University

Congratulations to the SSC West Texas A&M University Grounds team and to the university for being recognized with the NALP Honors award. For more information on our Grounds Management services, visit our grounds service page.

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