Archives

Page address: http://www.mnsu.edu/facilities/archive.html

Employee Recognition - Fac. Mgmt. Workers Honored - Jan. 28th

On Monday, January 28, 2013, MSU employees were honored who have worked at Minnesota State Mankato for five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty, thirty-five, forty, and forty-five years.

Ron Fields Congratulates Facilities Mgmt. Workers - Click Here to See List.

Facilities Management Employees in General Session - Jan. 10th

Ron Fields, Assistant Vice Pres. for Facilities Mgmt., and Rick Straka, Finance and Administration Division Vice President, hosted a meeting Jan. 10, 2012, for all Facilities Management workers. During the two hour session a number of topics were covered and questions addressed.

Both Straka and Fields praised the work of Facilities Management employees and provided feedback on what others say. Fields paid particularly attention to the fact that two outside agencies had recently awarded Facilities Management plaques complimenting the workers in all that they do - noted were MnSCU's "Excellence in Facilities Management" (11th such award for MSU), and the "Corporate Award" recently received from the Mankato Area Council for Quality.

It was also brought up that feedback from Admissions tour groups was very positive on "the look" of the grounds and building interiors, which is great news as such attention to detail helps sell the campus to student prospects and their parents.

In memory of Jason P. Farniok - Residential Life Refrigeration Mechanic Dies Unexpectedly December 31, 2012

Click Here to view FreePress article.

Facilities Management Annual Holiday Lunch

Click Here to view photos.

Energy efficiency program to save MSU $119,000 a year

Read the [PDF] Energy efficiency program to save MSU $119,000 a year (4 MiB) article from the November 26th FreePress.

Purple/Gold Recycling Bins land as LJP Waste & Recycle becomes a partner in managing MSU's campus waste stream.

Building Services Department Director Jason McCue becomes the first user of the new hallway rolling recycling bins. Our Maverick "Stomper" would be proud !

Vickie Larson Flower Planter Donation - July 17, 2012.

Long time employee Vickie Larson donated a large outdoor flower vase on behalf of her friends in the Registrar's Office. The ceremony was held on Tuesday July, 17 2012, on the north side of the Wigley Administration Building where the Registrar's folks can keep an eye on the plants. Vickie wanted to make sure those worker bees in the Registrar's Office had something to do during their breaks - keeping the planter full of flowers is a welcomed task for all. Thanks Vickie.

Click here to see more pictures.

Congratulations Gerry !

After 41 years Gerald "Gerry" Holmes retired. His Monday, July 2, 2012, reception was hosted by Building Services co-workers. At 70 years of age Gerry felt it was time to end his MSU career. Over the years Gerry has been a General Maintenance Worker at Trafton Science Center (20 years), Memorial Library, and Nelson Hall, among other "Highland Campus" buildings. Before his years as a GMW, he was a Stores Clerk for the "Valley Campus" Physical Education Building (3 gyms) working with Georgene Brock and then Women's Physical Education Chair Ruth Schellberg. "Gerry, you've earned your stripes and can now get up a little later each morning. Thanks for your dedication and commitment," said Jason McCue, Building Services Director.

Click here to see more pictures of the retirement reception.

MSU Honored - Congratulations Facilities Mgmt. Workers

A MnSCU "Excellence in Facilities Management" award has been earned by the Facilities Management workers at Minnesota State Mankato according to a June 29, 2012, announcement from MnSCU's Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilites Brian Yolitz.

"MSU has received one of only five awards for Excellence in Facilities Management given throughout the MnSCU system of 52 campuses," said a proud Ron Fields, Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management.

In announcing the award MnSCU's Yolitz stated ". . . thanks to you and your teams for the superb work you do each day in creating and maintaining the physical space at your campus as well as administering programs that make it safe and secure. Together this work sets the stage for ensuring access to an extraordinary education, being the partner of choice, and delivering the highest value, most affordable option to Minnesotans. Well done."

"This is a coveted award, and the recognition echoes throughout the entire MnSCU system. I know President Davenport and VP Rick Straka are aware of this and take every opportunity to exercise bragging rights for your accomplishments across campus and with their peers at the other institutions," said Ron Fields.

"You should each feel good about yourselves because it is the quality of what you do and the initiative and professionalism demonstrated in how you do it that sets us apart and makes Facilities Management the great team that it is.

"I want to offer my congratulations and gratitude to each one of you. I am extremely proud to be part of this institution, this outstanding division, and the part it plays in the success of the university. We're one of 5 award recipients, but I know in my heart we're the best among our peers," concluded Fields.

Click here to read the FreePress Article

Civility in Facilities Workshop held Monday May 21, 2012

Linda Kluender's top 10 signs of a civil and respectful work place

Click Here to view more "Civility in Facilities" pictures

Wednesday May 2nd, 2012 Flower Planting

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Mid-April Installation of "MSU Eternal Flame" on the Wigley Administration Building

The Minnesota State Mankato institutional symbol is now a little harder to change thanks to some glue and back lighting. Variations of the current flame have been part of MSU logos and symbols since the early 1970s. The flame "symbolizes knowledge,” according to October 2010 research on MSU symbols provided by Daardi Sizemore, MSU Archives and Special Collections Librarian.

"Energizing Our Front-line Network" - Shared Experiences Produce Results

Facilities Management participants smile for the camera at the "Energizing Our Front-line Network" employee development conference held March 7-8, 2012. St. Cloud State University was the host site where plenty of workshops kept participants on their toes.

MnSCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone was one of several keynote speakers during the day and a half event. MSU had one of the larger delegations in attendance among over 400 from the 31 MnSCU institutions. The Front-line conference is jointly sponsored by AFSCME Council 5, MAPE (Minnesota Association of Professional Employees) and MnSCU.

Welcome Ron Fields, New Facilities Mgmt. Assistant Vice President -- Reception Friday, 2/10

Click on the images to enlarge.

Congratulations to these Facilities Management Workers Honored - 1/30/12.

Recognition ceremony hosted by President Davenport and Academic Vice President & Provost Scott Olson

"Long Termers" recognized at January 30 event put on by Human Resources and held in the Student Union Ballroom.

Name	Department	Years of Service
Anthony Anderson	Electrical Services	5
Steven Ardolf	Utility Plan	5
John Gleason	Electrical Services	5
Elizabeth Holcomb	Building Services	5
Dale Marble	Building Services	5
Dean Becker	Grounds Maintenance	10
Michael Cofield	Building Services	10
Ronald Davis	Building Repair	10
John Dougherty	Building Services	10
Jeffrey Julian	Building Services	10
Rande Luhning	Building Services	10
Thomas Piotrowski	Utility Plant	10
Kevin Halvorson	Carpenter	15
Mark Musolf	Building Services	15
Todd Trautman	Plumbing Services	15
Keith Edstrom	Building Services	20
Lisa Zettler	Building Services	20
Duane Hoechst	Receiving & Delivery Services	25
Bradley Wobbrock	Building Repair	25
Brenard Kozitza	Grounds Maintenance	30
Jean Hardel	Facilities Services	35
Kevin Smasal	Building Repair	35
Dwight Wallin	Receiving & Delivery Services	40

Ron Fields New Facilities Mgmt. Assistant Vice President

Ron J. Fields, the new Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management, is now on board and in charge of the 134 employees within Facilities Management.

Mr. Fields has served as Superintendent of Facilities Services at Century College since 2006. Previous experience includes construction and project management services, Director of Construction and Business Support Services at MnSCU in St. Paul, Interim Assistant Executive Director for Financial Affairs and Capital Development at the Arizona Board of Regents, Phoenix, Arizona and Associate Director for Planning and Construction of Facilities Services and other positions at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Space Heaters Banned: Click Here

IT Services Goes Green

The IT Services Division has purchased two new all electric utility vehicles for the pickup and transportation of computers to department customers throughout campus. Use of the vehicles should minimize IT workers pushing carts full of computer gear on sidewalks in all kinds of weather. The idea for the electric vehicles came out of an IT Services employee retreat held in August 2011.

MSU now Smoke-Free/Tobacco Free Campus

PAC Renamed, Nov. 12, 2011 - Earley Center for Performing Arts

Minnesota State University, Mankato’s performing arts center was renamed the Earley Center for Performing Arts – for Dean Emerita Jane F. Earley – during a celebration and naming ceremony Saturday, Nov. 12.

Click here for the event program.

Click here to view more photos of the event.

CSU Ballroom $4.5 Million Renovation Ribbon Cutting - 2nd November

To view the full coverage of the Ribbon Cutting event Click here.

Completed: Soccer Fence & Road to Observatories

Now finished is the application of an asphalt finish to top off the weather-worn gravel road which connects the back of Gage to the Standeford Observatory, the Andreas Observatory, Recreation Fields, Rapelling Tower, and the Ropes Course. The old road gave up the ghost this Halloween and the ruts and potholes will go away, finally. Roadgraders finished work Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

On November 17th. 2011, A new higher fence has been installed in back of the women's soccer pitch goal (East end). Now wayward soccer balls will not go sailing into nearby recreation fields during a women's soccer game.

Snow is Coming

A training session was held Friday, October 28, for those who will be helping out the Grounds Crew this winter when massive snow storms dump their usual on good old MSU.

V.P. Straka Recognizes Grounds Crew with a Donut or Two

At the crack of dawn Wednesday, October 26th, the Grounds Maintenance crew got a donut or two from Rick Straka, Finance & Administration Vice President. "People have complimented us on the grounds and this is my way of saying thanks," said Straka.

V.P Straka also took the opportunity to present a certificate to Ron Erickson for his 28 years of service to the Grounds Maintenance Department.

Facilities Management Wins Office Homecoming Spirit Cup - 1st October

Though other Wiecking Offices had Homecoming decorations, the hallway outside the Facilities Management Office was identified by the Homecoming judges as the winner of the campus-wide office decoration competition.

"The judges were very impressed with the office decorations this year for Homecoming 2011. It was a hard decision to make, but the judges ended up giving 1st place in the office decorating contest to Facilities Management located in Wiecking!! Congratulations and I will be bringing over some Buffalo Wild Wings free wing chips to the department! Thank you to every department that participated this year! This has been the best involvement I have heard of for Homecoming! I am looking forward to next year already." said Kelsey Busch - The Homecoming Chair - IMPACT.

The Facilities Management Office hallway decoration helpers included:

Brittany Mitchell (Planning and Construction)
Donna Hensel (Facilities Management)
Melva Dahl (Physical Plant)
Bri Jaeger (Facilities student)
Anne Katchmark (Post Office student)
Becca Sellner (Post Office student)
A.J. Kloss (Physical Plant student)

Kudos also go out to the Facilities Services Office for its efforts.

Helen Walters (Vehicle Operations)
Kee Lee (Facilities Services student)

Groundskeeper Ron Erickson assists family in McElroy Tree Planting Memorial Service for Josselyn Bishop - September 30th

Josselyn Bishop, a MSU student who passed away this summer, was remembered in a formal tree planting memorial service held adjacent to McElroy 'H' Wing on Friday, September 30th. MSU's Groundskeeper Ron Erickson, who retired on October 7th, worked closely with the Bishop family in getting the tree purchased and planted. Associate Vice President for Student Affairs David Jones represented the University at the memorial service along with Physical Plant Director Mike Lexvold and David Cowan, Interim Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management.

David Cowan - Interim Assistant Vice President For Facilities Management - appointed August 10, 2011.

Vice President Rick Straka announces the appointment of David Cowan as the Interim Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management replacing Sean McGoldrick who left for a new job as the Associate Vice President for Facilities Services at University of Nevada, Reno. Over the next several months a search committee chaired by Athletics Director Kevin Buisman, will be working to find a permanent replacement.

Finance & Administrative Vice President Rick Straka met with Facilities Management employees to review University budget issues and announce the appointment of Cowan.

In this photo(from left to right): Rick Straka & David Cowan.

Sean McGoldrick Farewell Reception- August 08, 2011

Sean McGoldrick, after 8 years of service to the University, accepted a job in University of Nevada, Reno as an Associate Vice President for Facilities Services. Thanks Sean for your committment to MSU and good luck in your new job where snow seldom falls.
Click here to read the University of Nevada, Reno news article.