When James Hull brought goats to TU more than a decade ago, he didn’t know he was creating one of the campus’ most beloved traditions.

The professor emeritus in the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics, and former director of the Glen Arboretum, initially saw the barnyard residents as a sustainable method of removing invasive plant species.

“It’s been great because it’s a way for students to come down [to the Glen] and see this space,” Hull says. “Once they’ve seen the goats, they frequently come back. But the expressions you see on the students’ faces when they see the goats for the first time, it’s just amazing.”

Members of facilities, James Hull, Fisher College of Science Mathematics Dean, Matthew Nugent and President Mark Ginsberg stand in front of the Southern Magnolia Tree planted for Maryland Arbor Day.
A student pets one of the goats during TU's Arbor Day Celebration
A sign advertising the goats in the Glen

The goats come from Harmony Church Farms in Darlington, Maryland, and have made the trek to campus since 2014.

Roni Cassilly, who is one of the herd’s handlers, says it’s always a fun experience when she gets to bring the goats to campus. And it’s an honor that her team, and her group of goats, have added their unique mark to the TU legacy.

In fact, the university has signs advertising that the goats are on campus, which came as a pleasant surprise to the Harmony Church Farms team.

“Never in a million years would I have thought to see a sign with my goat Edwin on it,” Cassilly laughs. “I was just like ‘Holy Toledo, Edwin was born in my house, and now he has a sign.’

“Since we’ve been doing this, the Glen looks completely different. TU has done a great job here, and I think having the goats as part of the clean-up has been the cherry on top.”

We’re making TU’s campus a better, more beautiful place for future generations of Tigers. 

Towson University President, Mark Ginsberg

Usually, the Glen cleanup takes place in the fall and lasts several days. But on Wed., April 2, the goats made a special, one-day appearance to celebrate Maryland’s Arbor Day. 

The seventh-annual celebration took place in the Glen Arboretum and honored the hard work of the Office of Sustainability and TU’s landscaping services staff who help keep campus green.

“Sustainability is one of the core priorities outlined in our university’s strategic plan and the Glen is a major aspect of our efforts,” said TU President Mark Ginsberg as he spoke to the crowd during the celebration.

He also shared a quote from author Nelson Henderson, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees in whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

“That’s what we’re doing here today,” Ginsberg said after the quote. “We’re making TU’s campus a better, more beautiful place for future generations of Tigers.”

A goat has a snack in the Glen

TU is the home to more than 2,000 trees, and the Glen houses more than 100 of the 120 species of trees that are native to Maryland.

Because of that, TU has been honored with two awards, which was highlighted during the event. The first is the Maryland PLANT community award, which is given to communities that have shown that they care for their trees.

TU was also honored as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation because of its commitment to promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation.

The ceremony ended with Ginsberg and faculty and staff members from Facility Management, the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics and the Office of Sustainability planting a new Southern Magnolia tree in the Glen.

“I think seeing the joy in our Towson University community is what helps reinforce a culture and an importance of sustainability on campus,” says Paddy Watson, director of sustainability at TU.

“You really appreciate the feeling of community, the reinforcement of the protection and preservation of the Glen and understand the contribution to not only the university but the biodiversity of the TU community at large.”