À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ

From Farmland to Campus (& Back Again)

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s 200-acre main campus used to be farmland and it’s still a fertile place to learn and grow! As a À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ student, you are welcome to participate in the educational, service and sustainability projects that make use of the University’s campus, greenhouse and gardens. Our gardens also provide a natural space for studying, social gatherings, or quiet reflection.

University Greenhouse & Gardens

Sr. M. Muriel Flamman, SC Greenhouse

• In 2022, renovation of the greenhouse was completed thanks to a generous anonymous donor. Some of the renovations included a newly cemented floor, a glass partition to separate the greenhouse into two sections, new external "glass" that is unbreakable, and new internal and external signage.
• In Fall 2023, a mural in the hallway of the greenhouse was painted by an Honors student and includes scenes from our beautiful campus.
• These renovations allow us to grow plants for use in biology labs and nutrition and dietetics program. There is also much more space for student and faculty research projects, including a hydroponics set-up.

Vegetable Garden

• A half acre vegetable garden that grows root vegetables for use in À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ dining halls. Vegetable “waste” from dining halls is composted for use on flower gardens.

Sondra's Garden

• Located between the Administration building and St. Joseph Hall, this newly renovated garden provides a quiet space filled with butterfly-attracting flowers.
• Dedicated to the memory of Dr. Sondra Lettrich, an education professor at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ for 26 years, who had a love of butterflies.

Mary's Courtyard

• Located between the post office and the Greenburg Dining Room, this courtyard was built in 1909.
• Contains a pond and many varieties of plants, including Magnolia and Flying Dragon trees.

Herb Garden

• Raised bed herb garden used by À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s dining halls and the Nutrition and Dietetics Program.


À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ & Sisters of Charity Partnership Gardens

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s Founders, the Sisters of Charity, own many acres of land adjoining the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ campus. Gardens on their land are maintained by the Sisters in cooperation with À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ.

Rotating Vegetable Gardens

• These gardens grow vegetables used for Sister of Charity dining halls and Westmoreland Community Food Bank. A solar panel on the roof of the gardens’ storage shed provides electricity for security lighting and machinery needed to till the garden.


Bee & Butterfly Garden  

• Flower garden that supports butterflies and bees, and also contains a bat house.


Peace Garden 

• A wildflower garden with benches for peaceful reflection. A “river” of bluebells flows between “banks” of golden and red flowers that represent À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s school colors.