Celebrating theNate

Gathered in a circle overlooking the lake, Governors State President Cheryl Green, members of her cabinet and other staff quietly celebrated the grounds crew and curators of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, which was recently named best in the nation according to the 2021 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice travel award contest for Best Sculpture Park.

Comparing the grounds keepers to artists, Dr. Green recognized the crew, led by Superintendent of Building and Grounds Scott Smith as “honored guests who do a phenomenal job.”

Director and Curator Jeff Stevenson also thanked them for being good stewards of the grounds that host the collection’s 30 towering sculptures.

He said the USA Today award reflects the entire team’s collective efforts.

“We stand on the shoulders of giants,’’ Stevenson said with a nod to Sherri Denault, Education and Outreach Coordinator for theNate.