Crew Spotlight: Lisa Adkins

This week’s Crew Spotlight is Lisa Adkins, a Building Service Technician for Facilities Management. Lisa has been working at MSU for 17 years now, and before working with Facilities Management, she worked with MSU Dining Services.

Lisa says her favorite part of this job is when she receives compliments on the buildings she works in, and people tell her how nice they look.

When Lisa is not at work, she takes business classes at MSU, and enjoys spending time on Facebook.

If she could hang out with anyone for a day, Lisa would choose to do so with her mother.

Facilities Management appreciates Lisa and all the work she does!

Lisa Adkins

Crew Spotlight: Darlene Ramey

This week’s Crew Spotlight is Darlene Ramey, who is a Building Service Technician for Facilities Management! Darlene services many buildings, including the AAC, Mays Hall, the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music, the Folk Art Center, Procurement Services, and wherever else she is needed. Darlene has been working at MSU and is preparing to soon retire! Before working at MSU, Darlene was employed at Pizza Hut and Island Gas Mart. When asked about the best part of her job, Darlene says it is the good people she works with, and that she enjoys getting to know the basketball players. When she is not at work, Darlene enjoys spending time dirt track racing. If she could spend time with anyone for a day, she would chose to do so with one of the dirt track race car drivers, because she says they are good people and fun to be around. MSU Facilities Management is lucky to have Darlene, and we appreciate all of her hard work and dedication!

Filter Changes occurring over Christmas Break

Our crew members will be working during the holiday break changing filters and we wanted to make sure our students were aware. Below is the list of dates and residence halls they will be in. 

Andrews Hall- Dec. 11-13 (Students: please move items away from closet doors)

Nunn Hall- Dec. 13-15 (Students: please move items so they do not to block heater/AC units)

Alumni Tower- Dec. 18-21

Mignon Complex- Dec. 26-29

Thank you for your cooperation. 

Crew Spotlight: Terry White

Meet Terry White, MSU Facilities Management’s Director of Construction and Engineering Services and Interim Asst. Vice President for Facilities Management! Terry is an MSU alum; he graduated with a bachelor's in Government and Construction Technology in 1989, Graphic Communications in 2006, and then a master's in Information Technology in 2007. He has worked at MSU for 17 years. Before coming here, he worked in sales and estimates at Big 4 Lumber. Terry says his favorite part of the job is encountering something different every day. When he isn’t working, Terry enjoys spending his time golfing and woodworking. If he could hang out with anyone- dead or alive- for a day, Terry would like to meet Willie Mays. MSU Facilities is lucky to have Terry, and we very much appreciate all of his hard work!

National Adoption Month

Lori Ann and Jewell

My story begins with my parents, Kenny and Kathy, and their immense love for children. After fostering and patiently waiting on an adoption list for 13 years, Catholic Charities of Louisville placed my older sister, Jewell, in my family’s loving arms. As Jewell grew, she realized she was lonely and wanted a little sister she could play with, and eventually, boss around (an endeavor in which she very much succeeded). So, after placing themselves back on the list to adopt, my parents continued to wait. At times they were skeptical, because receiving and adopting two children is an unlikely occasion. However, like my parents always do, they remained hopeful and had great faith.

After what had seemed like forever, one day, my mom Kathy received a phone call from Catholic Charities. There was a birth mother who was due very soon, and wanted her baby girl to be placed in a loving family with an older sibling. The Dobson family was a perfect match!

Bound with endless excitement, my family prepared for another little baby to arrive at her forever home. In fact, the entire neighborhood waited my arrival! Then, on April 3^rd, 1998, my dad, Kenny, received a phone call while at work, driving his eighteen-wheeler. My birth mother, on the other line, informed my dad that she was in labor. It was finally time! My dad turned his truck around and headed straight toward my birthmother as quickly as he could. When he arrived at her house he quite literally picked her up, as he carried her down the stairs, into his truck, and into the hospital. No one was around to help, so he grabbed a doctor by the arm, and waited alongside my mom and birth mother for the next thirteen hours that she was in labor.

Baby Lori Ann with her parents

On April 4^th, 1998, a four pound little girl, Lori Ann Elizabeth Dobson was born. For the next ten days, I remained in the hospital, frequently visited by people who simply could not wait to meet me! Finally, when I was brought home, there was a huge celebration. A family of three became four; perfect and complete.

Ten months later, February 22, 1999, my family waited nervously in the lobby of the Bullitt County Courthouse. The judge signed the papers that finalized my adoption as official! This was the happiest day of my parents’ lives (according to me, of course). From then on, February 22^nd has been my favorite day of the year. As a child, my mom and dad would both leave work early, pick my sister and I up from school, and let me pick any place I wanted to go to spend the evening. No matter if it was Chuck E. Cheese or the Olive Garden, my sister and parents would always make my day so special.

I like to say I was the luckiest baby in the world. I have been raised in a very large family who has never once made me question how much I am loved. No matter how goofy or strange they are, I couldn’t imagine my life without them. No matter how your family became yours, they will always be family. Adoption is so beautiful and should be celebrated. Every adopted kid has their story, but mine just happens to be my favorite.

Crew Spotlight: Travis Jolley

Travis Jolley’s role at MSU Facilities Management is a locksmith and maintenance technician, which involves extensive knowledge on and operation and installation of keys, locks, handicap openers, and card readers. This means Travis has knowledge on literally every door on campus! Travis has worked at MSU for six years, in which he began as a maintenance technician, and is now a Tech 2. Before working here, Travis was a correctional officer in a prison for 10 years. Travis’ favorite part of his job are the challenges it presents. He says this job requires learning something new every day. When Travis isn’t working, he enjoys being a parent. Additionally, he likes hunting, fishing, and being a committee member for the Cave Run chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. The best concert Travis ever attended was a Ted Nugent concert. MSU Facilities is very lucky to have Travis as a part of our team! We appreciate all his hard work! Stay tuned every Wednesday for another Crew Spotlight. 

Crew Spotlight: Kay Hampton

This week’s Crew Spotlight is Kay Hampton, who most people just like to call “Momma”. In fact, she is the momma of Chris Hampton, last week’s Crew Spotlight! Kay is a Building Services Manager and has been working at MSU for twenty-two and a half years! Kay manages around 50 building technicians. Before working at MSU, Kay held a variety a jobs, such as working for her dad’s trucking company for six years, a daycare, for the billing department for ten years, for Stamper’s concrete for four years, and she worked at Pasquale’s through high school! In addition, she worked for the Greyhound Bus Company alongside her mother and other family members. Kay admires her mother for being a very strong woman.

Kay has training in “a little bit of everything,” but more specifically, she has Hazardous Chemical, Frist Aid and Safety, Manager and Supervisor, and APPA training. She is also well trained in using a variety of maintenance equipment. Her favorite part of her job is working with her staff and taking care of the students. She says she has students from twenty years ago ask how she is and come talk to her. She says she loves these students dearly, would do anything for them, and it makes her feel good that they want to come back and see her.

When Kay isn’t working, she loves to go camping and attend bluegrass festivals. In fact, she says she plans all year to be able to go to them! If she could hang out with any person, dead or alive, for a day, she would choose to spend time with Sam Elliott, her favorite actor.

We appreciate all of Kay’s hard work and dedication to Facilities Management. We are lucky to have her! Stay tuned every Wednesday for another Crew Spotlight! 

Crew Spotlight: Chris Hampton

Chris Hampton is a Locksmith and Preventative Maintenance Supervisor at MSU, which includes managing keys, locks, handicap door services, and card readers. He manages all the doors on campus- which there are several thousands of! Chris has been here at MSU since graduating high school, which totals to about 21 years. Since being here, Chris has not only completed APPA and supervisor training, but he has worked on the construction crew for seven years, worked with maintenance for one year, and has worked as both a part-time and full-time custodian. In addition to all of that, Chris also has his CDL! Chris says his favorite part of the job is interactions with students, as well as faculty and staff members. When he’s not working, Chris enjoys fishing, hunting, playing softball, golfing, and coaching baseball. Chris says the best concert he ever went to was in 1987, when REO Speedwagon performed in the AAC. MSU Facilities is lucky to have Chris and we appreciate all the hard work he does for us! Stay tuned every Wednesday for another Crew Spotlight! 

Crew Spotlight: Roger Fouch

Meet Roger Fouch, the supervisor of MSU warehousing, which stocks merchandise for all the maintenance crews and custodians on campus! Roger was a grocery store manager for approximately 20 years, then came to MSU 22 years ago. Roger’s favorite part of the job is his work family. Roger enjoys spending time with his two grandsons, which involves supporting them in wrestling matches, as well as football and baseball games. Roger also enjoys being involved with his church, and staying active by walking and jogging. Roger would enjoying spending the day with both of his grandfathers, who have passed on. He says he is so much like the both of them, and that they always liked to pull pranks. He says his grandfather was the best person ever, and never spoke a bad word about anyone. Roger’s favorite concert was the Kentucky Headhunters, when they came to Olive Hill around 30 years ago. MSU Facilities greatly appreciates all Roger’s hard work and dedication. We are lucky to have him!

Stay tuned every Wednesday for another Crew Spotlight! 

Heating and Cooling at MSU

Campus Community,

Beginning Monday, Oct. 23 Facilities Management will begin the process of transitioning buildings from cooling to heating.

                This transition takes up to 10 days for all the buildings on campus.

                Our HVAC staff will work alongside our Energy Manager, Bob Cooper, and out Heating & Water Plant to prepare the boilers and make them operational.

                Campus will be fully transitioned by Nov. 1.

                Each year we monitor temperatures to best decide when the heating transition should occur. According to upcoming weather patterns it will stay in the 60’s or lower.

                Please take note that most of our campus has a two-pipe system which means there is either heating or cooling, there cannot be both. So we remind people that many buildings will blow warm air even if a thermostat is set to cool.

                We appreciate your patience as we get campus ready for winter.

               

                For questions call Shayla Ring, Marketing and Communications Manager for Facilities Management at 783-5281 or email sdmenville@moreheadstate.edu or Gardner May, Director of Facilities Maintenance  Services at g.may@moreheadstate.edu. 

Crew Spotlight: Randy Thompson

Before working at MSU, Randy Thompson was employed at Cooper Standard in Mt. Sterling for 16 years, and has training in management. Randy has worked in MSU Warehousing since 2012. Warehousing stocks merchandise for all maintenance crew members and custodians, which totals to about 7,500 items! Randy says his favorite part of the job is learning new things every day. Randy also enjoys collecting baseball cards, supporting UK sports, and watching Survivor. If Randy could meet any famous person, he would choose Randolph Scott, an actor in cowboy movies in the '30s and '40s, whom he was actually named after! Randy says his favorite concert of all time was Chicago when they came to Morehead. MSU Facilities thanks Randy for all that he does! Stay tuned every Wednesday for another Crew Spotlight! 

Crew Spotlight: Sam Lands

Sam Lands’ role at MSU is a facilities warehouser. Working at MSU has actually been Sam’s entire career! He began working here at 18, and has remained here for 35 years since. Sam has training on forklift operation as well as management, and worked as a supervisor for 15 years, from 1992 to 2009. He says he eventually found the best job, which is the one he has now! Sam’s favorite parts of his job include his coworkers and interacting with students. Sam notes that he enjoys watching students evolve into people that will change the world. When he’s not at work, Sam enjoys being a granddad, as well as being active in his church, lifting weights, and jogging. If he could hang out with anyone for a day, Sam would choose to meet Jesus Christ. The best concert Sam ever went to was Hank Williams Jr., when he performed in the AAC in 1980. MSU Facilities greatly appreciates Sam’s years of dedication and talent he brings to our team! Thanks for all your hard work, Sam! 

Stay tuned every Wednesday for another Crew Spotlight! 

Crew Spotlight: Joe Stafford

Joe Strafford began working at MSU as a groundskeeper in 2003, and now works as a maintenance crew member.  Before working at MSU, Joe worked at a Family Dollar Warehouse, which demanded hard work and constant training. Joe says his favorite part of the job is interacting with students. When Joe isn’t working he enjoys hunting and fishing, and his favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla. He would love to meet Marc Wahlberg, because he is a big fan of his movies. MSU Facilities is lucky to have Joe on our team, as we greatly appreciate all that he does! Stay tuned every Wednesday for another Crew Spotlight. 

Crew Spotlight: Tony Cundiff

Tony Cundiff has been an HVAC technician at MSU for three years. After high school, he worked at a heating and cooling facility and attended technical school for two years at MCTC. His favorite part of the job is keeping people comfortable. When he’s not working, Tony enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his kids. If Tony could hang out with anyone- alive or dead- for a day, he would choose to hang out with Michael Jordan, his childhood hero. Tony says the best concert he ever attended was the Kid Rock concert in Louisville in 2003. MSU Facilities is very lucky to have an employee like Tony! We appreciate all of the hard work he does day in and day out!

Stay tuned for a new crew spotlight every Wednesday!

ADUC: Student Perspective

Since its original construction in 1956, the Adron Doran University Center has been the center for university life at Morehead. Renovation is not unfamiliar to ADUC- as it has undergone major in change in 1969 and then again in 2005. The building’s namesake is of Adron Doran, president of Morehead State University from 1954 to 1977, who is responsible for bringing the institution to university status.

The sounds, smells, and sights a construction project brings to a university campus evoke a sense of excitement for the entire community. It sparks conversation among students and administrators. Excitement builds as both exterior and interior progress is made visible, and anticipation builds with each week that passes, and calendar dates slowly creeping to opening day. New students, unfamiliar with ADUC, wait to see what kinds of memories will be made here, while older students find excitement in returning to a place that is already home to many memories from their college experience.

The erecting of a new improved university center- one nearly doubling in its previous size- gives the Morehead community a sense of pride. For me, I see a state-of-the-art facility waiting to welcome (and welcome back) current students, but also the future generation of scholars. Not only does this pristine structure attract potential students, but it renews current students’ pride in their school.

I have toured the construction of ADUC twice now, and each time I have learned multiple new things. I only have very vague memories of ADUC, as I only set foot in the building twice; on a campus tour and during SOAR. Therefore, I was intrigued on my tour in discovering what former rooms were turning into, and the extended contents of what was there before. Seeing the placements of new and improved restaurants, office spaces, gathering rooms, and even a theatre brought many emotions, such as excitement, anticipation, and anxiousness for their arrival! All of this was great, but my favorite part occurred when the tour group made a trip up to the second floor. Step onto the overlook of the first floor to what is the makings of a sports pub seating area, currently covered in construction-produced dust, and on the wall you will notice exposed brick. With intention, the original structure of the Adron Doran University Center still shows. Evidence of the original renovation indicate efforts of honoring the past and its traditions, while recognizing that there are improvements to be made to better serve students. In this place, a new generation of students will honor traditions, create new ones, and become all that it is to be an Eagle. I found this aspect to embody what Morehead truly is: a place where humble beginnings are remembered, traditions are honored, and progress is always being made. 

Crew Spotlight: Kari Cassity

Meet Kari Cassity, an MSU groundskeeper who has been here for the past eight years. Kari graduated from Morehead in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Before working at MSU, Kari worked as a caregiver for 12 years. Her sister, who also works at MSU, notified her of the grounds keeping job opening eight years ago, to which she then applied. Kari says her favorite part of her job is the people she works with. When she isn’t at work, Kari enjoys outdoor adventure activities, such as hiking, rock climbing, and kayaking. Kari says if she could hang out with a famous person for a day, she would like to meet Elvis Presley. Kari says the best concert she ever attended was 38 Special and Bon Jovi in Evansville, IN in 1986. MSU is lucky to have Kari on our Facilities Team! 

Stay tuned for another Crew Spotlight next Wednesday!

Crew Spotlight: Russell Adams

Crew Spotlight: Russell Adams

Russell Adams has been a Maintenance night shift Technician for 18 years. Before employment at MSU, Russell worked in regional sales for Famous Foods of Kentucky for 12 years, and was a foreman for a swimming pool company installing pools for approximately 25 years. Russell says his favorite part of the job is interacting with students. Some of his hobbies including farming, hunting, fishing, and really anything outdoors. If Russell could hang out with anyone (dead or alive) for a day, he would choose to spend the day with Jesus. Russell also says his favorite concert would be the Ichthus Christian Music Festival in Lexington. MSU is lucky to have Russell Adams on our Facilities Team!

 Stay tuned for a Crew Spotlight every Wednesday! 

Safety first: Second St. closure for deliveries

The Office of Facilities Management at Morehead State University will be closing the portion of Second St. behind the Adron Doran University Center on Monday, July 10 and Tuesday, July 11 from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m.

                

This closure will allow Monarch Construction to unload sheet rock for the renovation portion of the project.

 Please use caution during the closure.

                

For up-to-date information on traffic and project updates visit www.moreheadstate.edu/facilities or follow Facilities on Facebook and Twitter.

Safety First- Second St. closure for concrete pour

The Office of Facilities Management has announced that the portion of Second Street behind the Adron Doran University Center will be closed from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 20.

The closed section will run from the intersection of Battson-Oates Dr. and Second St. to the intersection of Second St. and Nickell Place.

Monarch Construction will be pouring concrete for to create the second floor of the expansion of ADUC.

For up-to-date information on traffic and project updates visit www.moreheadstate.edu/facilities or follow Facilities on Facebook and Twitter.

East Mignon chiller

East Mignon students, 

Thank you for your patience as Facilities Management has worked to repair the chiller in your residence hall. 

We wanted to share some information with you about the process and what has been going on to remedy this situation. 

It is important to know that chillers that are used in buildings the size of East Mignon are much larger than those used in homes. For comparison, a window unit uses about one ton of coolant and the one in your resident hall uses 130 tons of coolant. 

Facilities found a leak in the chiller during the first week of April when they began the changeover process. 

The equipment was disassemble and the part remove that was causing the leak. The part was then sent to be repaired. Unfortunately, the repair time frame was a week for Facilities to get the part back from Price Solutions. 

Earlier today, another leak was found, about the size of a pin hole that was repaired this afternoon. 

Facilities HVAC technicians are working diligently to reassemble chiller, test the system and to ensure the system is clear of moisture - a process that takes 24 hours. 

On Friday morning, the HVAC technicians will add refrigerant to the chiller and charge the system. A process that takes about two hours. We anticipate the chiller operational by Friday afternoon. 

This is not ideal and we apologize that this has happened. Our goal at Morehead State University is to provide the best experience for our students and we will continue to strive to do just that. 

Thank you, 

Shayla Menville 

Marketing and Communications Manager 

Facilities Management  

sdmenville@moreheadstate.edu 

                

Nickell Place closed Monday

A portion of Nickell Place will be closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, April 17.

The closed section will be between University Street and the entrance to the parking lot. There will be access to the parking lot and University Street will still be open.

Monarch Construction will be receiving deliveries to continue work on the renovation and expansion of the Adron Doran University Center.

For up-to-date information on traffic and project updates visit www.moreheadstate.edu/facilities or follow Facilities on Facebook and Twitter.

Heating and cooling at MSU

This time of year goes from hot to cold in a matter of hours. 

With the significant changes in weather conditions that occur during Kentucky springs, the staff at Facilities Management puts extensive thought, planning, and research into when it is best to transition from heating to cooling.

Today, March 28 is warm but last week at this time it was cold. We watch weather trends and have monitored that temperatures begin to remain consistent in the first two weeks of April.

This year the transition process will begin on April 10 through April 14. 

The process is much different than changing the thermostat in your home. Many of the buildings have a two-pipe system which means it either heats or cools but does not do both. 

Our staff will begin cleaning and filling the towers, cleaning the outside of the air conditioning condensers, and doing inspections. This is a lengthy process that requires man power and the proper equipment. It can take an entire work day to complete one building. 

We also must ensure that the weather is warm because cold temperatures could cause the systems to fail. And once these two-pipe systems are switched to cooling they cannot be switched back to heat until the fall due to the coolant used.

The transition coincides with the process our Heating and Water Treatment facility manages. A steam tunnel runs through part of campus and the steam is used for heat during the fall/ winter and chilled water cools buildings in the spring/summer.

Facilities Management works diligently to provide the most comfortable conditions possible for students and employees at Morehead State University. We appreciate your patience and hope that having the information gives better understanding to the reasoning and process.

Past, Present, Future: Breckinridge Hall

As we exit Grote-Thompson Hall to the right, we come to a building that also stands with Thompson and Rader as structures of the original crescent of University Boulevard. 

Perhaps the most familiar of campus buildings to older generations of Rowan County natives is Breckinridge Hall.  Breckinridge was erected on the corner of University Boulevard amidst the huge campus oak trees in 1931 to provide Morehead State Normal School with its own laboratory for teacher training. 

A four-story classroom and office building, Breckinridge was named in honor of Robert J. Breckinridge, a former State School Superintendent.  Previously known to many as Breckinridge Training School and University Breckinridge School, it was used for 51 years as the University’s laboratory for prospective teacher training in which all 12 grades were housed.  The students who attended Breckinridge Training School were commonly referred to as “Breck Brats.” 

When university status was granted in 1966, just after the building was expanded in 1965, the Board of Regents approved the name change to University Breckinridge.  Poor economic times forced the University to merge University Breckinridge with the Rowan County school system in 1981.  The training school provided a rare and unique education for students until it was finally closed for good in 1982.  Some of the school’s faculty transitioned to teaching college courses at MSU.   

The spirit of “Breck” lives on in the hearts of so many who attended and because of this, The Breckinridge School Society was established in June of 1993.

With the departure of the high school, the facility was closed for renovation. The $14 million project was completed and an expanded and renovated Breckinridge Hall was reopened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 10, 2002, “dedicated to the proud past of Morehead State University and to the bright promise of its future.” The renovation allowed various areas to be named for special individuals including: W. David Brown Seminar Room, Capt. Michael K. Gallagher Audio Studio, Kozy Hamilton Costume Shop, Harlen Hamm Speech Suite, Lucille Caudill Little Theatre, Larry Netherton News Production Booth, Mary Jo Netherton Foreign Language Lab, and the Thom Yancy Television Seminar Room.

Today, Breckinridge Hall is home to the Department of Communication and Media and Leadership Studies for Morehead State University.  It also houses two programs from the Department of Music, Theater and Dance, and foreign languages.

The award-winning, National Public Radio affiliate, Morehead State Public Radio also operates out of Breckinridge.

Like its neighbor to the left, “Breck” resides on the National Register of Historic Places as it proudly stands boasting a truly diverse and rich historic background 86 years after construction.

Breckinridge 2017

Breckinridge 1948

Residence Hall- Pest Control Schedule

Facilities Management treats residence halls on a monthly basis. Each residence hall is scheduled for one day per month. Our Pest Controller, Larry Hignite begins with the top floor at 9 a.m. and works through the building. Most residence halls take at least 8 hours to complete.

First Tuesday- West Mignon

                            Fields

First Thursday- Mignon Hall

                             East Mignon

First Friday- Alumni Tower

Second Tuesday- Cartmell Hall

Second Thursday-  Nunn Hall

Third Tuesday- Andrews Hall

Third Thursday- Mignon Tower

Third Friday- Mays Hall

Fourth Tuesday- Eagle Lake Apts.

Fourth Wednesday- Butler Hall

Fourth Thursday- Cooper Hall

Fourth Friday- Thompson Hall

Safety First: Second St. closing for concrete pour

Please use caution and plan for the portion of Second St. behind the Adron Doran University Center to be closed on Thursday, Jan. 19 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This will allow Monarch Construction to pour concrete to patch the excavation area from prior work that relocated utility lines.

Facilities Management appreciates your patience as we work to create a new student center that will better serve all.

Th view of the ADUC excavation area from inside the building.