Experience/Education: B.S. Agriculture-Horticulture from MU

Van Beek worked as a landscaper in Kansas City and at Stephens College before joining MU's Landscape Services as a landscape gardener in May 1991.

Campus territory: Van Beek's crew is responsible for the Red Campus, which today includes everything between Elm to Rollins streets and Sixth to Ninth streets. His crew includes three full-time groundskeepers and one student worker.

Favorite part of your job: “Even though I have management duties, I still enjoy digging in the soil and planting and maintaining the plants more than anything else.”

Favorite spot on campus:

“I like the hidden spots on campus that don't necessarily stand out to others. When I was a student, I liked hanging out in Beetle Bailey's original location, on the northeast corner of the South Quad,” he said. “Today, my favorite spots are the alcoves where the monuments are placed on the north side of Jesse Hall.”

Favorite plant: Azaleas, “The ones in the alcoves of Jesse Hall are spectacular in the spring.”

Favorite flower: red roses

Favorite trees: Bald Cypress on the Math Science Mall; magnolias outside of Walter Williams Hall.

For more profiles, visit the main Gardener Profiles page.