On the way to class, you may see Buildings ‘ Grounds employees cheerfully and diligently cleaning the streets. It is hard to get a good grasp of exactly what they do without watching the whole process, so we would like to tell you a story about an employee who we saw at work.

One Sunday afternoon, we were sitting by the back windows of the GSU and, for the first time, noticed the fountain in the back. We laughed, looking at the fountain’s structure, full of leaves and mud and with no water running. Then, an elderly employee came over with a broom and started sweeping the debris off every rock.

For the next three hours, he was bending over and taking out all the weeds. On the top of the rocks, he scrubbed every corner of the fountain. Even after he exerted much of his strength, he continued to work until the fountain was spotless. When he turned on the fountain, the scene became magnificent. Stepping back, the man looked at his work pensively. It wasn’t just the fountain’s beauty, but the man’s attitude toward his work that left the most lasting impression.

The work that single man put into restoring the fountain’s beauty is characteristic of the efforts put forth by all the Buildings ‘ Grounds staff. Every day, B’G upholds our campus. This consists of cleaning all campus buildings, the walls, windows and floors that come with them, the sidewalks and grounds around them and the bathrooms and elevators inside them. Confronting unpredictable weather, including bitter cold winters, many work outside twice a day, shoveling and salting the sidewalks and stairs. In the summers, they also face intense heat while carrying heavy loads and cleaning and renovating apartments.

In spite of all that, you’ll often hear hearty laughter over the sweeping and shoveling and see welcoming smiles on the faces of the people carrying buckets and boxes. For example, the employees who tackle all the floors at The Towers also collaborate with others in taking care of indoor and outdoor responsibilities. Nonetheless, you can trust that they will have a ready smile, even at the end of a long week.

The effort required to achieve the level of cleanliness in this well-populated campus is reached through the dignity of honest labor. B’G employees endure challenges with grace and modesty. Not only is there great respect in their hard work, but also in their fantastic attitudes. B’G staff demonstrate their dedication with enthusiasm, care and courtesy.

When asked what the best part of their job is, a common response is “everything,” followed by smiles, nods, and a chorus of laughter. Their joyful personalities are genuine, and their hearts are full of love for students. We want to express our gratitude to our friends by being considerate, taking care of our own trash and, above all, being friendly in return. Thank you!