GTI Turfgrass Leadership Renewal

The Department of Plant Agriculture is pleased to announce two new appointments serving turfgrass education, research and outreach effective June 27th, 2016.

Stephen Fleischauer will assume the role of the Associate Diploma in Turfgrass (ADTM) Program Director, and Prof. Eric Lyons will assume the role of Director for the Guelph Turfgrass Institute (GTI) as part of his faculty duties.

“I am excited to welcome Steve and Eric into these new roles,” shares Prof. Hugh Earl, Interim Chair of the Department.

In the role of ADTM program director, Fleischauer is responsible for the leadership, management, delivery and teaching in the DTM program. This includes leading the curriculum committee, providing student support and advising, student recruitment, general administration, and teaching a number of courses in the program.

“Steve has done an outstanding job as the interim director of the ADTM program and we look forward to working with him as we continue to solidify our reputation as the premier school in Canada for education in turfgrass management,” says Earl.

Fleischauer has been the Interim Director of the ADTM program since September 2015. Prior to this he developed and managed continuing education learning opportunities with Independent Study/OAC Access and Open Learning and Educational Support at the University of Guelph, where he joined in 1993.

He has also taught University of Guelph diploma and degree courses for over 20 years and is a past member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. He is also a member of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association as an educator.

As the GTI director, Lyons will lead general management, facilitate relationships between industry and the appropriate researchers, maintain and enhance industry relations and outreach, support continuing education opportunities, and engage in ongoing donor and recognition engagement.

“It is an exciting period of transition for the GTI, and Eric brings his many years of experience in turfgrass research to collaborate with industry partners in all of the various sectors of the Canadian turfgrass industry,” says Earl.

Lyons joined the University of Guelph in 2004 and is involved in curriculum development and teaching for diploma, degree and industry courses. His research focuses on improving stress physiology of turfgrass and the management of turfgrass systems to reduce inputs and maximize benefits to the landscape. He regularly collaborates with industry, including sports field managers, golf course superintendents, sod producers and municipalities.