Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 25, 1994 TAG: 9409260020
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Madelyn Rosenberg
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Much of the public missed the pomp and circumstance when the university honored Armstrong, director of the physical plant, and the people who work with him. And Armstrong doesn't make a big deal about it, though he will tell you "It's an honor" and "I was shocked."
The building was dedicated Aug. 30 to the employees who work in it , when all eyes were focused on the New College of Global Studies. Though board members and other school dignitaries turned out, the workers who keep the university going summer and winter didn't make this newspaper or the 6 o'clock news.
"We're behind the scenes somewhat," said Bryan Loop, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning installation assistant. "I don't feel sometimes that people really know the job we do. We keep things running as best we can."
Bonnie Akers handles 900 to 1,200 requests for maintenance a month - everything from light bulbs to major renovations.
Usually, said Bob Nicholson, assistant director of the physical plant, facilities employees are the ones people call when they have problems. "But when things are going smoothly," he said, "they don't think about them."
So when Radford University opened the 50,000-square-foot building off University Drive, officials dedicated it to the people who work there: housekeepers and electricians, mechanics and groundskeepers, construction workers and store room operators.
"I thought that was really nice," said Jerry Quesenberry, an electrician supervisor who is in his 22nd year at Radford.
In Radford years, Loop is a virtual babe. He's been at his job since 1991. Many workers, like Armstrong, have been with the school 20 years or more, moving through the ranks from electricians to supervisors.
They take pride in their work.
Take last winter's ice storm - Radford workers helped clean up the campus, then helped the city clear electrical lines. Take the university's sculpture garden - university workers donated their time after work and on Saturdays to get it built.
Together, they endow a scholarship fund.
"I felt they've been recognized but not the extent ... Well, everyone likes a pat on the back," Armstrong said. "I'm just real proud of 'em. I can't say enough."
Workers started moving into the building in May. Today, floors in the carpentry shop are still swept clean and the paint still smells fresh.
A plaque, still to be mounted on a wall in the lobby, reads: "In recognition of excellent service and commitment by the employees - past and present - of facilities management."
"It says a lot for the employees, the ones from the past and the ones here now," said Tommy Taylor, a safety inspector who started as a carpenter at Radford 15 years ago.
"I think it was a nice touch," said Boomer Reeves, a mechanical supervisor. Of course, he added, he would have just as soon seen the whole building named after Armstrong instead of a street.
Workers don't expect the new building to be perfect, but right now, they're enjoying the space, a new conference room, some extra features. They take pride in the building, as in everything else they do.
Said Victoria Long, who's cleaned almost every office on campus at one time or another, "This is my building now."
Madelyn Rosenberg is the assistant New River editor for the Roanoke Times & World-News.
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