Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | April 17, 2017 | Worcester Business Journal 15 G R E E N B U S I N E S S F O C U S www.masslivemedia.com WHERE DIGITAL STRATEGIES AND CREATIVITYMEET. It all began in 1937 when Vitale Bramani – Vibram's founder, applied a specific rubber sole to his trekking boots to increase grip and traction on high alpine, mountain terrain. He called his sole The Carrarmato Sole, which means "Tank Tread". The Carrarmato sole has become the most recognizable sole footprint around the world and Vibram continues to be the leader in all footwear markets from Outdoor, Fashion, Safety, Industrial and Military. Follow us and join our team in North BrookField! 9 7 8 . 3 1 8 . 0 0 0 0 w w w. v i b r a m . c o m and shrubs and trees, we can do a good job with the students we have," Heywood said. Lynn Verrecchia, senior associate director of admissions at Holy Cross, agreed first impressions are very impor- tant to students and their parents as they tour the campus. The beauty of the surroundings immediately puts students at ease, said Verrecchia, who graduated from Holy Cross in 2001. While perhaps not a deciding factor, the landscape creates a captive audience. "You need more than a pretty tree," Verrecchia said, "but I think it starts that conversation." Verrecchia said students expect to see rolling hills and lush greenery at more rural campuses, such as Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley and Williams College in Williamstown, but it's somewhat startling in an urban environment. "I do think that some of what adds to it is that it's a little unexpected," Verrecchia said. The campus experience Rob Franek, editor-in-chief at The Princeton Review, is a little reserved about rankings and accolades unless he knows the methodology behind them, (The Princeton Review bases its famous rankings lists on student feedback, he noted) but he said being named most beautiful campus is an honor to tout. Franek spends much of his time talk- ing with students and parents about their college admissions decisions, and there's no doubt that students often have a visceral reaction to a campus. Academic fit will always be the most important factor to prospective stu- dents, but Franek said campus experi- ence follows closely behind. "What is going to be your experience outside the classroom?" Franek said. Sustaining the environment Environmental considerations are important, Heywood said. Because Holy Cross is a steward of a number of historic trees, including one planted by President Theodore Roosevelt, so the college takes great care in tree manage- ment practices. The greatest looming threat this year is the potential for gypsy moth infesta- tion, said Heywood; the wet spring may have laid conditions for a bad year, though the gypsy moths won't hatch until later in the spring. Meanwhile, the grounds staff is considering how to spare vulnerable trees with the judicious use of pesticides. White pine and hemlock trees can be killed by one infestation, Heywood said. Last year's drought was another force of nature to reckon with. The college had to adjust the watering schedule under city water bans last summer, and irrigation heads were renozzled to make watering more efficient. Professional Grounds Manager Society • 2016 – Honor Award for Fitton Field • 2014 – Honor Award for campus grounds LendEDU • 2017 – The online student-loan marketplace ranked Holy Cross as having the most beautiful campus. Best Choice Schools • 2015 – The college guide website ranked Holy Cross eighth in the country in its 50 Most Beautiful Urban College Campuses list. Arbor Day Foundation • 2015 & 2016 – The organization named Holy Cross a "Tree Campus" for effective tree management practices under the Tree Campus USA program. Travel + Leisure has plenty of company in recognizing the College of the Holy Cross for campus beauty. Here are other recent accolades the college has received for its landscaping. Hallowed ground W

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