The Chart Online

Southern gardener decides it's time to retire after 25 years
Mandi Steele

International Editor

Ready for retirement, Al Wood looks back over the 25 years he s spent as a gardener at Missouri Southern and considers how much the campus has changed.

He s seen Webster Hall rise, Matthews Hall being built, many new residence halls spring up and plenty of new add-on projects being done.

There has been a great change in the overall look of the College since I came, Wood said.

Wood came to the College in 1977 after leaving his job as a landscaper at Carver National Monument in Diamond. He wanted a position that would give him work year round, and the state had just decided Southern could hire a full-time gardener.

Bob Harrington, director of the physical plant, has known Wood for three years.

His mark is just about everywhere on campus if you look around, Harrington said.

Wood trims, plants and tends to flower beds and shrubs around campus, especially around the oval area.

Before the 9-11 remembrance ceremony, Wood did all the landscaping around the flag of freedom memorial, Harrington said.

There have been many things Wood has savored over the years.

I ve enjoyed being outside, being able to grow things, he said. It s very fulfilling to see things that you plant grow.

I ve enjoyed very much the people that I ve met here. The whole staff and faculty, I ve come to know a lot of them over the years. I ve seen a lot of them come and go, but it s been very rewarding working with them. I will miss very much the people I ve worked with.

Though he will miss many people, Wood said he is looking forward to retirement and getting off the 8-to-5 routine. He plans to do a lot of traveling with his free time and visit his two daughters, six grandchildren and eight great-granddaughters with his wife of almost 52 years, Lawanda.

One of the reasons he s decided to retire now is because of an open heart, triple bypass surgery he had in March 2002.

There s something about that type of sickness that makes you evaluate your priorities, Wood said. If I m going to do some of the things that I want to do, then I better take the time and do them.

Harrington said he was worried Wood might not be able to keep up after his surgery, but he didn t have to worry.

He actually came back much stronger after his surgery, Harrington said. He s right out there working with everybody at 75 years old. That s pretty amazing. I hope I can do the same.

Wood said he s appreciated what the College has done for him and his family these 25 years.

I hate to leave the many good friends that I ve made here, but I expect to come back and visit every now and then, he said.