On one of the walls in Glenl's office hangs a painting of President Lincoln kneeling in prayer before he gives his Gettysburg address. This is the kind of humble, prayerful, effective leader Glenl has been in his over 41 years of service at BYU. Glenl began his BYU career as a student, accepted a full-time position and finished his degree while working full-time, raising a family, and serving diligently in many church callings. He exemplified deep faith, service, and commitment to his family, BYU, the church. and many others as he served as bishop while his wife went through cancer and he continued to work diligently at his job at BYU. This is simply the kind of man Glenl is. Continuing to learn and grow is vital to Glenl and he furthered his education by studying and receiving his Masters in Public Administration. Glenl listens to those he works and serves with, whether his supervisor, colleagues, student employees, or those in other departments. He truly listens to and values their ideas, input, needs, and requests. He then thinks and figures out how best to support, help, implement, and meet the needs and changes necessary. Really listening to others is just one of Glenl's great leadership traits. He is a constant example of integrity, respect, and dedication to others and BYU whether meeting with vendors, helping to get the paint right on the football field, or collaborating with his management team.
Glenl adds value to BYU by valuing those he works with and associates with every day. He values and respects the ideas and opinions of others. He understands the importance of including his team, his supervisors, his many full-time employees, the Landscape Management professors he works closely with, and the graduate students he has mentored. Glenl also has a Personal Code of Ethics hanging in his office that he created, posted, and lives by each and every day. One part of this code is that he will "strive to display my commitment to family, church, and work through my conduct, performance, and professionalism." Glenl fulfills this each and everyday. Glenl also strives to help those he works with do and become their very best. He also inspires the Grounds employees to provide the best and most beautiful university grounds for all to see and enjoy. Glenl is kind, faithful, dedicated, thoughtful, understanding, honest, hardworking, funny, loyal, and amazing!
Glenl has always been closely involved with the Landscape Management students and professors. He encouraged many to work for Grounds to gain needed hands-on experience. He also created a mentor program that several graduate students have been involved in. He truly believes that BYU is for the students and helps all Grounds employees to be aware of and show concern and safety for the students, particularly making sure snow and ice are cleared well and consistently. A couple years ago at the University Conference, President Worthen showed a video featuring Hannah, a graduate student of Glenl's who had worked with him on a Bermuda grass project, Glenl, and one of Hannah's professors, Brian Hopkins. President Worthen honored Glenl for the way he had focused on the student, Hannah, and helping her succeed. Glenl continued working on this Bermuda grass project in conjunction with Brian Hopkins, the Utah Ag Department, and other graduate students. Glenl was there when the Bermuda grass sod rolls came in. He, the Director of Grounds, was in his jeans and boots working in the sun and heat right along side his graduate students and other students from Grounds to get the sod laid. He has worked closely with each of these graduate students showing them how to run the sprinklers so they could chart the water use, heat, fertilization, etc, on various plots of grass for this project. Glenl had been thinking about the use of Bermuda grass for several years, because it is drought tolerant and requires less water. With the data that Glenl, his grad students and Brian Hopkins gathered, Glenl and Brian Hopkins, along with a professor from USU, were finally able to get Bermuda grass approved with the state to allow it to be used and no longer classified as a noxious weed. Glenl's teamwork and continued innovation in this area will now provide a great grass alternative for many business and home owners in the state of Utah. He truly has exceeded expectations in going above and beyond his normal duties to get great results. Glenl works closely with the Landscape Management students who choose to compete in a yearly National Collegiate Landscape Competition at various universities around the country. He mentors and helps the students prepare for their chosen area of competition. BYU has hosted this NCLC competition several times during Glenl's career. He has always made sure that everything needed was ready and in place for each competition. Glenl loves to travel with the students, along with professors Phil Allen and Greg Jolley, to the competitions each March. He has been a valued mentor, example, and fabulous source of information and encouragement. Glenl was the very first Utahn to study, and become a CSFM or Certified Sport Field Manager. His extra time and knowledge about sports fields has really been evident in the care and maintenance of the football field and the baseball and softball fields. Glenl continues to display his competency in his field of education-that of Horticulture with and emphasis in Landscape Management Design through his mentoring and sharing of his skill and knowledge every day as Director of Grounds. He is also highly regarded for his management skills among his fellow Grounds employees and those throughout the many other departments and entities of the greater BYU community. Glenl is a valued member of Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Committee. He is also on the Vehicle Accident Review Committee.