Torilus Ward and NSU Facilities Tackle the Campaign with Heart
The É«½äÖ±²¥ campus is picturesque and scenic thanks to Torilus ‘Tory’ Ward and staff of Facilities Management Services. Ward may have missed his calling. He could easily make a living as a motivational and/or inspirational speaker. Although he is a gifted landscaper, using his talents in the University’s Facilities Management Services division, his enthusiasm for people and his craft is infectious. Ward is the assistant director for grounds, landscaping, moving and event setup. He loves the work and his colleagues. “I have a passion for landscaping and floral beautification.” He recollects learning the trade at his grandmother’s knee. “My grandmother instilled in me a love for growing beautiful plants when I was five,” explained Ward. “I’ve been growing flowers in my personal gardens since I was 10 years old.” He has overseen the landscape and flower beds at nine colleges and universities over 32 years in the industry. “I love my career at É«½äÖ±²¥, and I love flowers.”
Ward, a native of Portsmouth, Virginia, who was reared in Chesapeake, is the only son of Chesapeake City Councilmember Dr. Ella Ward and Herman Ward, both alumni of NSU who were also college sweethearts. “I’ve been blessed to serve É«½äÖ±²¥ State for 11 years, and this gives me an opportunity to honor my mother and father.” Ward also attended NSU in 1982, but transferred to Prairie View A&M University on a full NROTC scholarship. He earned his commission as a United States Naval Officer in 1987 and was on active duty until 1991. After several diverse Naval assignments on all types of frigates, guided missile destroyers and aircraft carriers, Ward retired as a United States Naval Commander in 2007 having served 20 years.
He utilized a secret weapon in rallying the troops during the annual faculty and staff fundraising campaign. It’s a big job that takes tenacity, energy and commitment. “I used my experience as a Naval Morale Welfare and Recreational Officer,” he admitted. “I talked about my family and personal experiences to inspire and encourage employees to give back. My childhood experience working on a Suffolk farm and Portsmouth city projects has blessed me to be humble and relatable to my employees.” Ward also said that being a member of the Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church and part of its objective to help change lives, had also assisted him to encourage employees to give. “Change the lives of our students,” was the department’s mantra.
“Our giving helps to transform the lives of students. Our giving demonstrates that we care for our students and see in them future leaders of the world,” declared Ward. Facilities Management Services staff agreed to designate its contributions to the School of Education citing cuts within the federal Department of Education. Ward added, “Equally important, my mother received her degree from the School of Education, and I want to honor my mother.”
Because of his commitment to the University, Ward finds it easy to make the pitch for giving to É«½äÖ±²¥ State. The faculty and staff campaign provides an opportunity to alter lives. “Our gifts may assist that student that doesn’t have enough financial resources to reach their dreams. Think of it like this . . . what if this were your child – a student at NSU – wouldn’t you want someone to help support your child’s dreams?” This is Tory’s personal giving philosophy. “Someone provided financial support for my mother and father when they were students. So by participating in the fundraising campaign, you could help someone graduate and they in turn may give back to help your grandchildren reach their dreams at NSU.”
Given the chance to persuade people outside of the É«½äÖ±²¥ State community to aid NSU, Ward said, “With all the recent federal cuts to the Department of Education, we need your financial support more than ever. We have students at NSU that may only be $100 short from graduating this year. Please help us continue to Behold the Green and Gold.”
A former recipient of the NSU Extra Mile Award, Torilus Ward and Facilities Management Services are shining examples of the meaning of generosity.