Courtesy of Bowdoin Athletics Department

For Grounds Manager Shawn Robishaw, his team, Bowdoin Facilities Management, is at the center of everything he accomplishes.

In preparation for the start of spring sports, Robishaw oversees the many long hours it requires to prepare the fields for official practices. He has worked for Facilities since 2008, keeping campus beautiful during warmer months and safe during the winter.

“I love landscaping. I love being outdoors. I love helping other people,” Robishaw said. “Before I started here at Bowdoin, I worked in construction and carpentry a little bit. And then an opportunity came about, [and] landscaping was kind of my passion, especially here at Bowdoin College, with all the beautiful landscapes and hardscapes that we have here, it’s just so rewarding to me.”

Robishaw’s team starts their days early at 7 a.m., where they regroup, share ideas and split into small groups to clear snow across campus in a timely manner.

“We try to get right out there … to really check every building on every zone to make sure if someone walks out of that building, whether it be a student or faculty, or facilities member, that we’re not slipping on ice,” Robishaw said. “We’re not perfect, but we do faithfully check every building every day.”

With the help of his team, Robishaw is able to work on clearing the athletic fields for practice.

“We have two operators, George Hale and Kevin Turcotte, [and they have] long days. The three of us will communicate, and if we feel like it’s safe for them to pull off and go right to the fields, [they do],” Robishaw said. “We have one tractor that does Howard Ryan Field, and I have another tractor with a snow blow that does the four other turf fields.”

The work does not stop after the last snowfall. Robishaw’s team works tirelessly throughout the year to upkeep all aspects of campus.

“We’d be here all day if I talked about it [all] but mowing, upkeeping campus and trying to keep the debris and things clean, the mulch beds and the landscape that we have,” Robishaw said. “In the weed season, we’re trying to keep up with all the weeds that are growing in the beds and the walkways, [and we are] trying to keep them clear of debris so kids can get around on skateboards and enjoy campus.”

Robishaw insists that his success is due to the cooperation, communication and passion of his facilities team. The physical strain is just one aspect of the work, but for them, the results are worth it.

“They all know me and how much I care about Bowdoin,” Robishaw said. “I truly want to be helpful, and I know I can’t please everybody, but knowing that everyone together collectively is trying to be helpful for this Bowdoin community is so rewarding.”

Outside of work, Robishaw has three young boys and has coached football, basketball and baseball.

Robishaw is thankful for his mentors and team who make his job possible. Through all the hard work, he is proud to contribute to campus in a way that students, faculty and visitors alike can enjoy.

“[I am] very thankful for the opportunity [to become grounds manager]. I’ve got to give credit where our credit’s due. Jeff Tuttle believed in me, trusted me. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to have such a great team,” he said.

The daily meetings, which may seem like just a formality, help Robishaw continue to learn from his team to improve his workflow and continuously improve at his job. He has learned to put students first and focus their work around giving students the best experience possible.

“I learn something every day. I can’t really point out one thing,” Robishaw said. “We talk about students every morning almost in our meetings, and sharing that with the team, for me, is important so they know, ‘Hey, when you’re out there in a class change, shut the truck off, let those kids get by. They’re on a mission, right?’ Everything we do, we try to base it off of students.”