When your work turns into greater than only a job, others start to take discover. That is why Invoice Vokes, director of upkeep and grounds at Seton Hill College in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, was named our 2018 Upkeep Hero. Invoice obtained greater than a dozen nominations from colleagues who praised his dedication to the establishment.
The competition, which launched final yr, was open to any group in any business that wished to appoint a valued upkeep skilled who routinely goes above and past within the office however receives little recognition for it. Invoice obtained $3,000 in American Time product credit score for taking first place. Jeannie Donovan, head custodian at Sylvania Northview Excessive College in Sylvania, Ohio, and Mel O’Campo, amenities supervisor at Santa Maria Foursquare Church in Santa Maria, California, have been the runners-up. Every runner-up obtained $1,000 in American Time product credit score.
We realized rather a lot about every nominee thanks to people who offered nominations. Here is what we realized about Invoice.
50 Years of Dedication
Invoice celebrated 50 years with Seton Hill College earlier this month. Because the director of upkeep, he ensures a secure, clear, wholesome, and welcoming academic atmosphere for all who enter the campus. However he additionally places college students on the heart of all he does.
For instance, when a classroom was inaccessible for 2 college students with a wheelchair, Invoice and his workforce put in cement pavers in a single day so the scholars may enter from a distinct doorway. However the grade of the ramp was steep, and it was troublesome for the scholars to wheel themselves into the room. As soon as once more, Invoice took it upon himself to schedule a employees member to help every scholar to and from that classroom the complete semester. “Though this was not technically Mr. Vokes’ job, he wouldn’t permit a scholar to be in want,” one nominator wrote. “Invoice cares for and treats each the establishment and its individuals as his household.” It is just one instance of the kind of man, worker, colleague, and director he’s.
One other nominator recollects the second she first laid eyes on the campus. “From the day I set foot on campus, I used to be immediately struck by each the great thing about the grounds and the situation of our historic buildings,” she wrote. “I rapidly got here to study that Invoice Vokes, the director of upkeep and grounds, was the chief accountable.”
A Man With a Nice Angle
Not solely does Invoice put coronary heart into what he does, however he does it with unwavering optimism. “Invoice is a proactive chief who responds to all requests with cheerfulness,” one other nominator wrote. “He’s all the time smiling and ready to help.”
A unique colleague mentioned it this manner. “When requested, ‘How are you?’ Invoice’s typical response is, ‘I am dwelling the dream,'” he mentioned. “Invoice possesses a excessive stage of enthusiasm for his work and is revered deeply by his workforce and by all members of the college neighborhood.”
It appears nothing can cease this upkeep hero, though he did expertise a well being scare final spring. Even from his hospital room, he was pondering of Seton’s college students. “He was very upset to overlook his first commencement as a result of he did not get to see his college students march throughout the stage,” a nominator wrote. However Invoice nonetheless ensured every part ran easily from his hospital mattress. He returned to work just a few months later “happier than ever,” as one nominator places it.
“Invoice is a pleasure to work with,” a colleague wrote. “He’s a humble man, who takes delight in his work and possession for our campus. He’s form, affected person, and a very good instructor and mentor to his workforce.”
Will probably be a tragic day when Invoice decides to hold up his hat at Seton Hill College. For now, the scholars, employees, and college will treasure his exhausting work and pleasant demeanor.
“He has a beautiful work ethic and an incredible humorousness,” one nominator wrote. “It’s exhausting to think about this place with out him every time that day comes!”
Reward for the Runners-Up
Jeannie Donovan’s nominators praised her excellent management abilities, which helped remodel Sylvania Northview Excessive College’s campus from “disorganized” to “clear and well-functioning.” Since Jeannie joined the varsity, she’s additionally constructed a powerful workforce with an identical drive. “That is delicate, however give me a workforce of exhausting staff who is not going to settle and there’s nothing we can’t do,” one nominator wrote.
Apart from her work ethic, Jeannie’s colleagues pay attention to her distinctive angle. “Jeannie’s humorousness jogs my memory day by day that life is sweet, and that it is a fantastic place to come back to work every day,” one nominator wrote. “Her sense of levity has an identical influence on college students, lecturers, and fogeys she helps.” And he or she cares deeply for the scholars. “She treats them like she would her personal kids,” the nominator wrote.
Equally, runner-up Mel O’Campo’s colleagues highlighted his astounding work ethic at Santa Maria Foursquare Church. “Mel is likely one of the most loyal, hard-working individuals you’ll ever meet,” one nominator wrote. “He takes delight in his work and goes approach past his regular duties with a smile on his face.”
However Mel does greater than work exhausting, he loves exhausting, too. Along with sustaining the three-acre campus, Mel usually works with people finishing neighborhood service by means of the courtroom system. Slightly than offering them with a activity to finish and sending them on their approach, he takes the time to hearken to them, share his personal experiences, and encourages them to make a optimistic future for themselves. “It is unbelievable to look at him pour into others,” one nominator mentioned. “He is an inspiration to our employees, our church household, and our neighborhood.”
We’re honored to acknowledge individuals like Invoice, Jeannie, and Mel, who proceed to make different’s jobs simpler and extra pleasant. And we look ahead to our 2019 Upkeep Hero Contest.
