Crew Spotlight : Shayla Adkins

This month's Crew Spotlight is Miss Shayla Adkins.  Shayla is MSU Facilities Computerized Maintenance Management Software Specialist (CMMS).

Shayla has worked in MSU Facilities for 5 years total. Three years she was a part time employee and two years a full time employee. Before MSU she was a manager at KFC for 1.5 years and a Lifeguard for 2 years.

Currently Shayla's job at MSU consist of Managing keys across campus, Managing our Facilities Work Order system, and helping with the Genetec Security Software. Shayla is a huge part of how we function and run Facilities and we are very thankful to have her! Her job also requires her to take the Genetec Software Training this summer. Shayla's favorite part of her job are the people she works with.

Fun Fact about Miss Shayla is that she comes from a line of Facilities workers. So, basically she is like a "legacy" for MSU Facilities! Currently her brother Khi Adkins works for MSU as well, Khi is part of the moving crew. In the past her grandfather was a carpenter for nearly 10 years at MSU, her dad Jeff Adkins also worked at MSU for 17 years before starting his own business and her Mother Dana Howard - Adkins worked at MSU as a BST as well.

Outside of work Shayla enjoys spending the majority time with her family especially her nephew Sawyer! Also, over the years of watching her father cook and bake Shayla has taken up a love for it as well. If she could travel anywhere she would want to travel to England and hang out with the Royal Fam! Her favorite TV Show is Friends,  by the way, "Rachel and Ross were not on a break".

MSU Facilities Management is very lucky to have Shayla on our team! We appreciate all of her hard work, knowledge, and dedication!

Crew Spotlight: Brooke Cooper

This week’s Crew Spotlight is the wonderful Brooke Cooper! Brooke is MSU Facilities Management CADD Operator, and has been so since October of 2001!

When she was first hired, Brooke’s CADD Operator duties consisted of drawing up the plans for campus room renovations, maintaining historical and new building information, such as construction documents and building information. Additionally, when she was hired, Brooke also sent reports to the council on building and room use on campus.

Now, Brooke’s job has shifted slightly. She still maintains historical and new building records. However, now, she does a lot of work with contractors, to ensure they have all the information they need to do their job. Additionally, when there is a relocation or renovation of offices, Brooke works with the faculty and staff to determine what their needs are throughout the process.

Brooke’s job is more than just what you see at the surface! She says to be good at this job, one must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of people. She also does a lot of outside research to develop a plan for what faculty and staff may need in a new space. This job also requires a lot of organization!

Brooke’s favorite part about her job are the people she works with. She says working at Facilities Management is like working with a big family!

Before she joined us at MSU, Brooke attended vocational school. While in school, she worked at a bank, where she says she developed customer service and financial skills that help her in her current job!

Following that, she worked at Staggs and Fisher, a consulting engineering firm in Lexington. She worked there for two years, and was the only female draftsperson in the entire office! In her two years there, Brooke says she learned a lot that became helpful to her in her career, specifically her auto CADD skills.

Then, Brooke worked in telecommunications, in which she learned about design, electrical work, and data operations, all of which she utilized in her job today!

When Brooke isn’t working, she enjoys travelling, as well as spending time with her children and husband. However, she says if she could spend the day with anyone, she would choose to do so with Oprah!

MSU Facilities Management is very lucky to have Brooke on our team. We appreciate all of her hard work, knowledge, and dedication!

Crew Spotlight: Barry Cox

Happy Wednesday! Today we are spotlighting crew member Barry Cox, who has been an MSU HVAC technician for 18 years!

Barry has an important job- he keeps us all comfortable! As an HVAC technician, Barry ensures our campus has heating and cooling. In addition, he repairs line leaks, completes electrical and plumbing work, and refrigeration needs.

Barry has two licenses that are required for his job. The first is his HVAC license, which permits him to buy the supplies, and the second is his Journeyman’s license, which permits him to then do the work!

Barry says his favorite part of the job is the people he works with. Turns out we are pretty fond of him, too! When Barry isn’t working at MSU, he works some more! He is the owner and operator of his own business, Barry Cox HVAC. Barry also enjoys hunting when he has time.

If Barry could choose to spend the day with anyone, he would choose to do so with his father, who was an inspiration to him.

Facilities Management, and the rest of campus, is very lucky to have Barry on our team! We appreciate all his hard work and dedication to our campus.

Crew Spotlight: Donnie Willoughby

Happy Wednesday! Today’s Crew Spotlight is the wonderful Donnie Willoughby, Grounds and Landscaping Manager. Donnie has been a part of the team for 15 years, and says the best part of the job is the people he works with.

Donnie says grounds and landscaping involves much more than what meets the eye. He says it is not simply mowing and weed eating. This job involves many skills and knowledge pertaining to concrete, electrical work, and much more. To be in this job, you have to know a little bit of everything. One might say Donnie is a jack of all trades!

In grounds and landscaping, it is all about first impressions! Donnie says this job involves knowing what looks good in each area to match its aesthetic. Donnie works with several different people to coordinate events going on around campus. He says they all help one another out, which makes his job more enjoyable.

When Donnie isn’t keeping campus beautiful, he enjoys fishing and spending time with his family. His wife is also an MSU employee and his daughter Chelsea graduated from MSU in 2016. Donnie’s other daughter is still trying to decided her next step. We hope she chooses to become a part of Eagle Nation, too!

MSU Facilities Management is so lucky to have Donnie as a part of our time. We, and the rest of campus, are so appreciative of all his hard work and dedication! 

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Crew Spotlight: KaiLa Conn

Happy Wednesday! Today’s Crew Spotlight is the wonderful KaiLa Conn, a member of our grounds keeping team! KaiLa graduated from Morehead State in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications. Additionally, she has certification in data entry operations. She has been working for Facilities Management for a year and a half now.

KaiLa says she wanted to join Facilities Management because she wanted to work her way up and stay within the university. She has ambitions to work in adult and higher education!

When it comes to her favorite part of the job, KaiLa says it is everything! She enjoys her work, along with the physical aspect of being outdoors. KaiLa says it takes much upkeep and ambition to keep the facilities running, and that the job is not as easy as it may look! KaiLa also enjoys being a part of the essential personnel of MSU. They keep the campus operating!

When she isn’t working, KaiLa enjoys things that express her creativity! Some of her hobbies include interior decorating, painting, designing, word burning, and monogramming. In fact, she has even assisted in planning MSU’s Spring Gala!

If KaiLa could spend the day with anyone of her choosing, she would choose to do so with Janice Joplin, as she is a big fan of her music!

We are so lucky to have KaiLa as a part of our team. We appreciate all she does for Facilities Management and the University! 

Crew Spotlight: Alan Debord

This week’s Crew Spotlight is the wonderful (and very tall) Alan Debord! Alan is Lead Grounds Keeper for Facilities Management and has been working here for nearly 7 years!

 As a groundskeeper, Alan is involved in nearly every aspect of campus. Not only does the grounds team maintain campus, but are very intentional in how and where they do the things they do. For example, there is much knowledge and planning that goes into the vegetation and plant choices that are seen on campus and where these can be planted, where they will best grow, etc.

Additionally, Alan and the grounds team take care of all the athletic fields! He has many licenses that are required to do his job well, which include Class B CDL, N3, N20, 7A, and a pest control license.

Alan’s favorite part of his job is doing what he can to make campus look as best it can, which involves enhancing the environmental architecture and landscape of the university.

When he is not working for Facilities Management, Alan enjoys spending time with his family and owning and operating his own business, Debord Auto Sales. Before coming to MSU, Alan was a used car salesman, and still has his license to do so, which he utilizes in his own business!

Alan says if he could spend the day with anyone of his choosing, he would like to spend time with his grandfather.

We at Facilities Management are so grateful to have Alan as a part of our team. Thanks for all you do!

Crew Spotlight: Bob Cooper

Happy Friday! Today we have a special Crew Spotlight celebrating the retirement and career of our friend, Bob Cooper!

Bob began working for Facilities Management in 2008 as Energy Manager, and then became Manager of Facilities Information Systems in October of 2016.

Bob has dedicated his entire career to MSU. In 1980, he began his undergraduate career as an Eagle studying Industrial Technology. That same semester, he became a work study in printing services. He was then hired full-time in printing services, while still an undergraduate!  

Bob then left MSU for a while, working in San Diego and Atlanta playing music.

Bob came back home to MSU, and began working part time in the library as Computer Technician. From there, he became full time in the library as an Automation Assistant, where he was instrumental in assisting the library in their switch from the card catalog to the computer based system.

While still in the library, Bob also worked as an Automation Specialist. Following that, Bob began his work in Information Technology as a Video System Consultant, where he installed surveillance videos around campus, and worked on radio towers (found atop building around campus) for police communications. Bob then became a Network Administrator for IT.

After leaving IT, Bob went to work for IET, now known as Applied Engineering Technology, as Lab and Facilities Manager. Then, in 2008, he began working here at Facilities Management!

Bob says he chose to dedicate his career to MSU for many reasons. He enjoyed attaining his education here, and pays credit to his mentor, Dr. Ahmad Zargari, his mentor, for pushing him. Additionally, Bob says he has stayed because of the people, the camaraderie he has built with colleagues and coworkers, and the fact that he has never had a bad or unpleasant supervisor during his time here.

Bob also says working here feels like working with family.

When he isn’t working, Bob enjoys watching movie and is an avid reader. He is also a very talented and professional musician! His plans for retirement include dedicating 100% of his time to his music career. In fact, if Bob could spend the day with anyone, he would choose to do so with T-Bone Burnett.

Bob will be dearly missed by us all, but we would like to wish him the best in his retirement!

Campus wide steam outage scheduled for May

Campus Community,

In an effort to minimize the impact of utility interruptions on campus, Facilities Management has worked with the State to schedule the University’s annual steam inspection for the week following Spring Commencement.

The steam will need to be shut off during the inspection. Steam will be turned off on May 13 and restored on May 18.

The steam outage WILL affect hot water and the heating/ cooling system in the following buildings; AAC, ADUC, Allen Field, Allie Young, Alumni Tower, Baird Music, Breckenridge Hall, Butler, Button Auditorium and Drill Room, Camden-Carroll Library, Cartmell Hall, the Claypool-Young Art Building, the Bert T. Combs Building, Cooper Hall, Eagle Center, Eagle Lake Apartments, East Mignon, Fields Hall, Ginger Hall, Howell-McDowell, Jayne Stadium, Lappin Hall, Laughlin, Lloyd Cassity, Mays, Mignon Hall, Mignon Tower, Nunn Hall, Rader Hall, Recreation & Wellness Center, Reed Hall, The Rice Building, Softball Field, Space Science Center, Andrews Hall, Thompson-Grote Hall, and West Mignon Hall.

The steam outage WILL NOT affect hot water or the heating/cooling system in the following facilities; The Center of Health, Education and Research (CHER), The Water Testing Lab, the Education Services Building, Third St. Eats, The Rocky Adkins Dining, or the Enrollment Services Center.

Scheduling it at this time will limit the number of students and summer programs.
We appreciate your patience during the outage.

Questions regarding this email message may be directed to: Michael Jessee, Assistant Manager of Heating & Water Plant, m.jessee@moreheadstate.edu or 783-2609.

Women's History Spotlight: Dr. Annie Adams

To celebrate the closing of #WomensHistoryMonth, today’s spotlight highlights a special woman on campus! Annie Adams in an English professor here at Morehead State. Dr. Adams received her bachelors in English from the University of Toledo, and her masters and doctorate degrees, also in English, from Bowling Green State University. This woman knows her English!

When asked about her inspirations, Dr. Adams says she is encouraged by the works of Mary Wollstonecraft and Jane Austen, two very inspiring women!

When asked specifically about women’s history and the future generation, Dr. Adams says she would like to see three things. First, she would like to see the workforce evolve into one that values leave for parental care. Additionally, she would like to see men and women both work alongside one another to build up the new generation. Lastly, she would like to see truly cooperative projects in terms of learning.

I chose to highlight Dr. Adams because I believe she has had a role in helping me write my own history. Dr. Adams did not just teach me English. She taught me how to be a better writer, how to think deeper and critically, and encouraged me to use my voice to speak up about issues I care about. I believe that because of her, I have found my voice through writing, and I am empowered to write and speak about my passions.

Crew Spotlight: Debbie Martinat

In this week’s #CrewSpotlight, we would like to highlight Debbie Martinat and her 20 years of service to MSU. Debbie will be retiring in July, and we would like to thank her for all of her work. We will miss her very much when she is gone!

Over her 20 years here, Debbie has worked in a variety of departments, filling in wherever she was needed. Because Debbie always volunteers to assist where she is needed, she has many different experiences and an impressive amount of knowledge.

Debbie decided to dedicate her career to MSU when her former company, US Shoe in Flemingsburg was taken over by another larger company. Once that happened, she decided to go back to school. Now known as MCTC, Debbie attended Rowan Tech, where she studied office and medical office technology. She earned her diploma and maintained a 4.0! Upon graduation, Debbie was hired as a temporary, and then hired on full time in Facilities Management in April of 1999.

Aside from Facilities Management, Debbie has spent time working in the power plant, conference and events services, the work control center, and for the assistant VP. At the power plant, Debbie assisted in setting up offices to expand departments. Additionally, at conference and event services, Debbie was one of only two people handling all of the work! Debbie also worked as a support specialist at the work control center.

In Facilities Management, Debbie does something for everyone! She has worked in building services and recycling, and currently works in construction and engineering services. Additionally, she fills in at the front desk whenever she is needed.

Debbie says her favorite part of the job is the many different people she is able to interact with. She says she knows many people very well, and have seen many people grow up in the community.

When Debbie is not working, she enjoys camping, reading, biking, and walking, all doing so while with family. Debbie loves her big family, as she is the third of ten children, and has ten grandchildren of her own! In fact, if Debbie could choose to spend the day with anyone, dead or alive, she would choose to do so with her own mother.

MSU Facilities Management appreciates Debbie for her 20 years of service to MSU, as well as the work she does here every day. We will miss you!

Women's History Spotlight: Tamara Rivera

 In continuation of #WomensHistoryMonth, today’s spotlight is Tamara Rivera! Tamara has twenty-four years of experience as a carpenter, and is the first woman to ever sit as a council representative for the New York City District Council of Carpenters. Rivera began her career in carpentry as an apprentice, then became a shop steward, and eventually became council representative for a union of more than 200,000 people. Rivera spends much of her time lobbying and advocating for the rights of construction workers, for women in construction, and for fair wages and benefits of blue-collar workers. Rivera says her work is less about her own accomplishments, but for the accomplishments of women in construction and for the industry as a whole. Tamara Rivera’s accomplishments are very impressive, and her work for the advancement of women in her field is outstanding!

Crew Spotlight: Haley Gearhart

This week's Crew Spotlight is Haley Gearhart, who is an accountant for Facilities Management! Haley is originally from Olive Hill, and graduated from Morehead State University in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in accounting. She will be celebrating one year at Facilities Management in July! Haley says the best part of the job is the people she works with, whom she says are pretty cool. When she is not hard at work, Haley enjoys many different activities, such as being a Girl Scout Leader and the President of a home-makers club in Carter County, as well as camping, hiking, kayaking, and doing missions work! Haley has even done mission work in Haiti, which she says she absolutely loved. In fact, if she were able to hang out with anyone for a day, she would choose to do so with missionaries. Haley also enjoys going to lots of concerts, no matter who is performing. She says the best concert she ever attended was Kesha. Another fun fact about Haley is that her family lives in California! Facilities Management is lucky to have Haley as a part of our team. We appreciate all of her hard work!

Women's History Spotlight: Edith Clarke

This week’s Women’s History Spotlight is Edith Clarke, the first woman to earn an electrical engineering degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology! Before earning her degree, Edith spent time teaching mathematics at an all-girls school in San Francisco, and then at Marshall University. After earning her degree, Edith began working at General Electric as an electrical engineer in 1919. In 1921, Edith Clarke acquired a patent for her creation, the Clarke Calculator, which was created to solve electric power transmission line issues. Edith worked for General Electric until 1945, and then went on to be the nation’s first female professor of electrical engineering at the University of Texas, where she taught for ten years. Edith Clarke’s passion, drive, and many accomplishments in the field of engineering have served as an inspiration for women in STEM! 

Campus Wide Power Outage

Campus Community,

Kentucky Utilities must make a repair to their substation on Saturday, March 24 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

This will require power to be shut off for the duration of the repair.

Most of campus will be impacted. Those locations not affected are; The CHER Building, the Enrollment Services Center, Third St. Eats, the Water Testing Lab, the Educational Services Building, Allen Field, Softball Field, the Phil Simms Weight Room, and the visitors side of Jayne Stadium.

Facilities Management is not coordinating the shut-off, however our crew members will be on campus to check buildings, generators, and ensure the transition is made smoothly.

In the event of rain on March 24, this outage may have to be rescheduled by Kentucky Utilities.

Thank you for your patience. 

Questions regarding this email message may be directed to:  Shayla Ring, Marketing and Communications Manager, sdmenville@moreheadstate.edu or 783-5281.

Women's History Spotlight: Emily Roebling

When Emily Roebling’s husband, Washington, fell ill, he asked his wife to help him by taking his place as the supervisor over the construction over the Brooklyn Bridge. At first, Emily took charge of day to day planning and supervision until she became the first woman field engineer, and eventually named Chief Engineer for the Brooklyn Bridge. For her work, she was awarded and recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers, and was the first person to cross the bridge upon its completion on May 24, 1883. We are honored to highlight a woman who led the way for women in engineering and leadership! Had it not been for Emily's intelligence and ambition, an important staple in American architecture may have never reached completion. Happy #InternationalWomensDay, everyone! 

Crew Spotlight: David Bowlin

This week’s Crew Spotlight is David Bowlin. David is a Building Service Technician, and has been working here for three years now! Before this job, David worked in maintenance. David says his favorite part of his job is cleaning, and when he isn’t working, he enjoys spending his time working on cars. If David could spend the day with any one, he would spend his time with his wife, Brenda, who is also a part of the MSU Facilities Management Team! MSU Facilities Management greatly appreciates David and all of his hard work! Stay tuned every Wednesday for another Crew Spotlight. 

Women's History Spotlight: Lillian Gilbreth

As part of Women’s History Month, we will be highlighting women who have made history in the fields of construction, engineering, or management. Our first Women’s History Spotlight is Lillian Gilbreth, whose achievements paved the way for women in engineering. She studied industrial engineering and ergonomics, which is the study of workplace efficiency. In 1926, Lillian became the first women to be a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. After years of making contributions to the field of industrial engineering, she was recognized by winning the Hoover Medal of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1966. In addition, she became the first female professor in the school of engineering at Purdue University, as well as being the first woman elected into the National Academy of Engineering. Have you ever heard of the book or movie “Cheaper by the Dozen”? The story and plot line is based on the lives of the Gilbreth family! Lillian Gilbreth made room for women in engineering and workplace management, ultimately advancing the field and making it more inclusive. We should all be thankful for her contributions!

Crew Spotlight: Teresa Riddle

Teresa Riddle is an MSU Building Service Technician, and has been working for Facilities Management for three and a half years! Before working for Facilities Management, Teresa worked at the Morehead Kroger for five years. When asked about her favorite part of the job, Teresa says interacting with and getting to know students is the best part. When she is not working, Teresa enjoys hunting and hiking. If she could spend the day with anyone, Teresa would choose to do so with her grandson, Jacob. MSU Facilities Management is lucky to have Teresa on our team, and we appreciate all her hard work! Stay tuned every Wednesday for another Crew Spotlight!

Crew Spotlight: Kala Messer

Kala Messer’s role at MSU Facilities Management is a Building Service Technician. Kala began working here full time right out of high school in 2009! In terms of her favorite part of the job, Kala says it is the people she works with. When she is not on the job, Kala enjoys spending time with her family and with her cats. If she could spend the day with anyone, she would still choose to spend time with her family. MSU Facilities Management is lucky to have Kala on our team, and we appreciate all of her hard work! Stay tuned for another Crew Spotlight every Wednesday!

Crew Spotlight: Sue Simmons

This week’s Crew Spotlight is Sue Simmons, a Building Service Technician who has been working here at Facilities Management for just over three years! Prior to her job here, Sue worked at Ashland Sales Factory in Olive Hill. Sue says the best part of her job is the people she works with. Sue says she enjoys cleaning various classrooms and getting them ready for students to use. When Sue is not working, she enjoys spending time with her brand new great grand baby, Ella Rae, and the rest of her family. If Sue could spend the day with anyone, she would choose to spend that time with her parents. MSU Facilities Management appreciates all of Sue’s hard work and dedication! We are lucky to have Sue Simmons as a part of our team! Stay tuned every Wednesday for another Crew Spotlight.

Crew Spotlight: Brenda Bowlin

This week’s Crew Spotlight is Brenda Bowlin, another one of our amazing Building Service Technicians. Brenda has been working here at Facilities Management for approximately five months now! Before working here, she worked at BP gas station. Brenda says her favorite part of this job are the people she works with. When she is not at work, Brenda enjoys reading books. If Brenda could spend the day with anyone, she would choose to do so with her sister-in-law, Eva Bailey. MSU Facilities Management is lucky to have Brenda as an employee, and we appreciate all she does! Stay tuned every Wednesday for another Crew Spotlight! 

Crew Spotlight: Timothy Dickerson

This week’s Crew Spotlight is Timothy Dickerson!

 Timothy is a Building Service Technician in Alumni Tower! 

Timothy has been working for Facilities Management for a year and a half, and before working here, he worked in construction. 

When asked about his favorite part of this job, Timothy says he likes meeting new people and getting to know the students that live in this building. 

When he is not at work, Timothy enjoys spending time with his grandson.

 If he could spend the day with anyone, Timothy would choose to do with his late mother. Facilities Management appreciates Timothy and all he does for Morehead State University!! 

Timothy Dickerson

Crew Spotlight: Susan Brown

Susan Brown is a Building Service Technician for MSU Facilities Management. 

Susan has been working at MSU for 14 years. 

Prior to her experience her, she worked in sales for 30 years! 

Susan says her favorite things about her job include the people she works with, her work partner she works with every day, and being able to have something to do with her time. 

When she isn’t working, Susan enjoys reading, specifically suspense novels. 

Susan says if she could spend time with anyone for a day, she would choose to spend time with her children and grand babies. 

MSU Facilities Management is very lucky to have Susan, and we appreciate all of her hard work!

Susan Brown

Road signs changing on campus

Beginning Jan. 3 the Office of Facilities Management will begin transitioning road name signs on campus.

This is a part of the wayfinding plan that Morehead State University adopted in 2015 to make campus more accessible by visitors and new students.
Grounds crew members will be working to make the signage transition seamless, however there may be times when signs are not put back into place.

The changes should only take two days, depending on temperatures.

“This is a small change that will have a big impact on our campus and demonstrates the quality of our Wayfinding Plan,” said Kim Oatman, assistant vice president for facilities management. “Adopting a standard design for campus allows visitors to better navigate our beautiful campus.”

Facilities Management appreciates the cooperation of the City of Morehead for the approval of city streets on campus to get the new signage.


The changes will only occur on the main campus at this point. Plans to transition road signs at off-campus locations are being made. 

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