EIU Media Relations

Temporary Job Turns Into 36-Year-Plus Career For EIU Employee

Thirty-six years ago, newlywed Carol Strode began work as a clerk/stenographer on the campus of Eastern Illinois University.

On Wednesday, she will retire as the institution's director of facilities planning and management. As such, her responsibilities have included the supervision, coordination and administration of programs and activities related to all of the university's physical facilities.

"That's just the type of opportunity Eastern offers," she said matter-of-factly. "I've received a lot of encouragement over the years."

Strode's calm manner of speech belies the emotions she's feeling as her final day of employment draws near. Farewell gifts and cards from friends and colleagues decorate her desk, and not a day goes by without someone, somewhere on campus, asking, "What will it take to make you stay?"

"I love this place," she says quietly. "But it's time. "

Her eyes begin to sparkle as she talks about her family, including two daughters, sons-in-law and three young grandsons whom she looks forward to spoiling as only a grandmother can. And, Strode adds, she'll have more opportunity to bring her mother, who resides in Indiana, to and from Charleston for family visits.

And there are, of course, some travel plans.

"But we're not going to leave town for good," she adds, noting that her husband, Bill, who has worked for Mattoon's Armstrong Center for 30-plus years, has yet to reach his point of retirement.

"His job is like a hobby to him," Strode said. "He enjoys it as much as he did the very first day he started working there. He likes it so much, in fact, that he tells me he'd do it for free!"

Strode reassures colleagues that she will come back to campus. For years, she has volunteered at the university's annual "Celebration: A Festival of the Arts." And commencement ceremonies, held each fall and spring, remain near and dear to her heart.

"I definitely plan to continue to volunteer for commencement," she said. "I love to see the smiles on our students' faces as they celebrate their accomplishments. That's what the university is all about."

When Fall 2003's commencement ceremonies take place Saturday, Dec. 13, Strode says she'll be bringing at least two new volunteers in order to show them the ropes. Gary Reed, Eastern's current utilities manager, is slated to take over as acting director once Strode leaves, while Jim Nantz, administrative assistant, will deal with campus communication and departmental computer technology issues, among others.

They'll be assisted in their duties by Steve Shrake, design and construction manager, who will assume responsibility for the trades areas (carpenters, painters, roofers and grounds).

"The department is in very capable hands," Strode said. "I feel very comfortable leaving with these individuals in charge."

Strode, who spent all but one month of her 36-plus years at Eastern in the facilities office, said employment there "was like going back home." Her grandfather, she said, made a living as a general contractor, while her uncles worked as carpenters. Her own father was the head custodian at the local high school, joining his brothers-in-law in doing carpentry work during the summer.

To this day, she finds it "always interesting" to watch Eastern's various tradespeople (painters, carpenters, electricians, etc.) at work. That's especially true during times of crisis, Strode added, citing an incident two years ago when water pipes burst in the art wing of the university's Doudna Fine Arts Center. Some of the escaping water then froze where it landed.

The incident, which occurred over Christmas break, left "everything" - including floors and walls, furniture and a couple of computers - covered with ice.

"It's just amazing," she said. "When an emergency like that occurs, our people know exactly what to do and they do it -- even if it means working overnight.

"I'm just in awe of their skills," she said.

Facilities Planning and Management employs nearly 200 individuals. And those 200 interact with the rest of the university community on a daily basis. It's no wonder, then, that Strode made communication a priority during her tenure as director.

She called Everett Alms, director of FPM during Strode's first 17 years of employment, "a master of communication." When she assumed the office, her goal was to follow suit.

"I wanted to give the rest of the university community the heads up so they would know what projects were happening on campus - no surprises when they came into work. I wanted us to work collaboratively -- no us and them.

"And I think we've achieved that," she added. "I believe there now exists a greater level of trust and mutual respect between facilities and the rest of the campus."

Strode, herself, has gained the respect of the campus constituency, including one employee who began working at Eastern a couple of years earlier than even the newlywed. A young man by the name of Louis V. Hencken served as an EIU residence hall director when Strode began her university employment. He, too, rose through the ranks; two months ago, he was named as the institution's ninth president.

"Carol is one of those people who can't be replaced," Hencken said. "The thing I like about her is that when you ask her for something, her first words are 'let me see what we can do.' And that means she's looking to find a way to solve the issues, whatever they might be."

Jeff Cooley, Eastern's vice president for business affairs and Strode's direct supervisor, commended her for her "tremendous people skills."

"Carol brought to the director's position not only an extensive background in facilities, but an ability to listen to issues and concerns," he said. "I think this ability, in addition to the ability to react to those concerns, is what really distinguished her as a facilities director."

For others of Strode's colleagues, it's the smaller things they'll miss most.

"I'll always remember Carol wearing her coat - every day, all day, rain, sunshine, sleet, snow, hail, 90 degrees or 10 degrees - she ALWAYS had her coat on!" said Jan Dowland, administrative aide.

"Also, I always had to laugh...when she really wanted to remember something that was very important, she would write it on her hand instead of a piece of paper. She always said she would lose the paper, but she wouldn't lose her hand!"