Bendapudi informed senators that effective July 1, retirement contributions will be restored to their pre-COVID levels, 7.5%. She further reported that a 1% increase to base pay is pending approval by the Board of Trustees. If approved in the upcoming July board meeting, the 1% increase will go into effect on August 1.

“Every year, everyone who works here should have some increase to keep up with cost-of-living adjustments. Something to show we believe in you and we’re investing along with you,ā€ Benadpudi said.Ģż

Unit elections closed on May 28 and resulted in the seating of 50 Staff Senators, including 21 first-time Staff Senate representatives. Credentials and Nominations received a total of 106 applications, both from returning Senators and first-time applicants. The seating of the senators was approved unanimously.

Due to COVID-19 scheduling conflicts, the Staff Senate meetings were moved from the second Monday of each month to the second Tuesday. After a senator poll revealed overwhelming support for Tuesday meetings, changes to Article IV of the Senate bylaws were proposed that will allow for flexibility in meeting scheduling moving forward. Senators will vote on the proposed bylaw changes at next monthā€™s Staff Senate meeting.

On May 25, President Bendapudi announced the observance of Juneteenth as a university holiday starting this year and moving forward. In response to the university’s inaugural observance of Juneteenth, the Committee on Anti-Racism Efforts (CARE) prepared recommendations for the Staff Senate.

The chair of CARE, Leondra Gully, presented the recommendations before the Senate. CARE proposed that a statement on behalf of the Staff Senate that recognizes the universityā€™s commitment to observe Juneteenth, as well as the historical significance of the holiday. Additionally, the statement will inform recipients how they can celebrate within the campus community or individually. The proposed Juneteenth statement was approved by senators.

Committee reports and a of the virtual meeting can be found on the . The next Staff Senate meeting will be held on July 13 in a hybrid format via Microsoft Teams; more information is forthcoming.

Bendapudi informed senators that the university recently received positive ratings by Standard & Poorā€™s and Moodyā€™s. These credit rating agencies evaluate several different industries, including higher education institutions.

ā€œWe were downgraded by these agencies for a couple of years, but this year, they took notice of the fact that we have stabilized our finances. We took some important corrective measures that we needed to, and I am pleased to tell you that both of them changed the outlook of the university from negative to stable,ā€ Bendapudi said.

Bendapudi also provided senators with preliminary information on budgeting priorities. She asserted that her highest priority will be the restoration of retirement benefits, pending approval from the Board of Trustees. If passed, retirement benefits will be restored to 7.5% effective July 1.

Bendapudi also addressed her priority on employee healthcare, stating ā€œwe are making a commitment that there will not be any health care cost increases. Last year, we felt that given everything going on, the university would absorb those additional costs and not pass it on to our employees. So, I am pleased to tell you that for a second year in a row, the university will absorb those increases.ā€

Mary Elizabeth Miles, vice president for Human Resources, informed senators about upcoming training sessions for the Remote Work Policy. The policy was developed over the past year with the assistance and feedback of several members of the university community, including the Policy and Economic Development Committee of the Staff Senate.

Referencing the Miles stated, ā€œdepartment leaders may offer flexible work options to employees as long as a strong presence is in our classrooms and student-service areas are maintained and the overall operations of our schools, colleges and departments are continued without compromising the quality or productivity.ā€

The new Remote Work Policy and the Remote Work Agreement will be released on June 1. At that time, employees wishing to work from home may submit the Remote Work Agreements to their first- and second-line supervisors. Any denials will be directed to the department head for final review and determination.

In response to feedback from staff and faculty members, HR will be providing a series of supervisor and employee HRtalks training sessions to review the Remote Work Policy and Remote Work Agreement. All faculty and staff were encouraged to attend the upcoming trainings, which can be accessed from the .

Executive Vice President and University Provost Lori Gonzalez announced that her office is interviewing for a chief of staff to the provost. Gonzalez stated that the position will increase the responsiveness of the Office of the Provost. Four candidates were interviewed for the Dean of the College of ³ÉČĖÖ±²„ and Human Development, and Gonzalez announced that a decision should be expected in the near future.Ģż

Committee reports and a of the virtual meeting can be found on the . The next Staff Senate meeting will be held on June 8 via Microsoft Teams.

Executive Vice President and University Provost Lori Gonzalez informed senators of plans to restore employee retirement benefits. Retirement benefits were moved back to 2% at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 and were recently raised to 6%. Gonzalez informed senators that retirement benefits are estimated to be returned to the original 7.5% by July 1, pending approval from the Board of Trustees.

Gonzalez also addressed plans for future health care costs stating, ā€œthe administration is committed to not passing any increases to health care costs. There will be no change in premiums for the second year in a row for employees at the university.ā€

Both Gonzalez and Faculty Senate Chair David Schultz reported that the mass COVID-19 vaccination site at Cardinal Stadium will stop taking first-dose patients in the coming weeks. Gonzalez cited low patient turn out as one contributing factor of the upcoming closure. Schultz informed senators that alternative vaccination site locations will be available.

Senators were presented with the second readings of the revised bylaws for the School of Nursing and the J.B. Speed School of Engineering — both of which were approved unanimously. Two academic certificate proposals, a graduate certificate in Health Care Ethics and an undergraduate certificate in Ethics both through the College of Arts and Sciences, were also unanimously approved by the senate.

Mary Elizabeth Miles, vice president for Human Resources, informed senators on two changes to employee flexible spending accounts. After reaching out to those affected, the decision was made to increase dependent care FSA to $10,500. In addition, there will be a roll over for FSA from 2020 to 2021 and then 2021 to 2022.

ā€œWhat that means for our employees is that if you had any money left in your dependent care or in your medical FSA at the end of 2020, it will now it roll over into 2021. Whatever you have left this year, you will be able to use that money for 2022 through Dec. 31,ā€ Miles stated.

Schultz later led a senate discussion on the proposed Faculty Accountability Policy, which was presented during last monthā€™s Faculty Senate Meeting. In December 2019, former Provost Beth Boehm charged a committee to make recommendations regarding expectations of faculty behavior and appropriate disciplinary actions. The proposed policy is intended to add consistency and equity in disciplinary actions across departments.

The policy was shared with senators during last monthā€™s meeting to allow time for feedback and suggestions. During the discussion, senators voiced concerns, suggested amendments and recommended changes to the proposed policy. The recommendations of the senate will be shared with the Office of the Executive Vice President and University Provost.

Committee reports and a of the virtual meeting can be accessed on the . The next Faculty Senate meeting is scheduled for June 2 via Microsoft Teams.

Senators voted to move the Anti-Racism Committeeā€™s classification from ā€œad hocā€ to ā€œstanding.ā€ The formation of this standing committee was part of the presented by co-chairs Leondra Gully and Andrew Grubb in Octoberā€™s Staff Senate meeting.

M. Rehan Khan, vice president of Information Technology Services and chief information officer, gave an update on the PeopleSoft HR software replacement. Oracle, the parent platform service of PeopleSoft, announced it will stop supporting the HR software in 2031. The system has presented challenges throughout many departments and the recommendation had been made to begin transitioning to a new HR software.

The ITS team worked diligently with the campus community over the last year by engaging over 77 stakeholders across 20 departments for feedback. They also conducted interviews with 14 higher education institutions using other software and negotiated prices among vendors. The result of their efforts showed overwhelming support for Workday HR Software.

Kahn reported that a recommendation to the provost and chief financial officer has been made in favor of selecting Workday as the replacement for PeopleSoft. The cloud-based HR software will be introduced to the university gradually in two-year phases, the first of which is set to begin in January 2021.

The implementation of the modern cloud-based system will improve upon the hiring process, reduce payroll calculation and processing errors, and upgrade security and system availability. Mary Alexander-Conte, director of disbursement services, stated, ā€œitā€™s going to make our lives a lot easier, both internal to payroll and external to all of our departments.ā€

Senators received budget updates from Chief Financial Officer Dan Durbin. The university currently has a balanced budget and is slightly exceeding previous projections. Despite an overall positive trend, Durbin did express budgetary concerns with Athletics. Current health protocols and occupancy restrictions due to COVID-19 have led to a large decrease in ticket sales and revenue for athletic programs.

ā€œWe are working with them to make sure that they can fix their own problems. In other words, we do not want to move money from the academic enterprise to subsidize athletics,ā€ Durbin said.Ģż

Numerous senators posed questions about the retirement cuts made earlier this year. Durbin commented that the recent changes will not be permanent, and that the student success and retention rate for the upcoming spring semester will heavily impact the universityā€™s financial capabilities.

Durbin said, ā€œUntil we close the books in December and have a better picture of what spring enrollment looks like, we canā€™t make a decision on retirement and we canā€™t make a decision on the contingency.ā€

Senators also received information on the upcoming Cardinal Cupboard food drive from Senator Melissa Taylor. The Cardinal Cupboard, located within the Swain Student Activities Center, is a food pantry open to all university students, staff and faculty. An update will be provided to senators at a later date with the most requested items.ĢżTaylor stated the pantry accepts food donations as well as gift cards to grocery stores such as Kroger or Walmart. Physical donations are accepted through the mail and in person. Monetary donations can be made through their .

Committee reports and a full video recording of the virtual meeting can be found on the . ĢżThe next Staff Senate meeting will be held December 8 via Microsoft Teams.

Additionally, Staat has served on countless committees, is the faculty representative to the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary ³ÉČĖÖ±²„, is a member of the Faculty Senate and spent the past year serving as interim university ombudsman. In his spare time, he serves as president of the model railroad manufacturing business San Juan Car Co. Inc., based in Durango, Colorado.

On Dec. 31, Staat will retire after more than 40 years at UofL. Heā€™ll remain on campus for another three or so years, however, as he continues to work through the phased retirement program, maintaining the UofL Sterilizer Monitoring Program.

UofL News had a chance to talk to Staat about his career, his motivation and his retirement plans.

UofL News: How did you end up at UofL?Ģż

Bob Staat: I grew up in the Rocky Mountains (Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico) and have a BS and MS from University of New Mexico. I went to work with my MS and quickly found that I needed the PhD to get ahead and one of the consultants I worked with invited me to work with him at the University of Minnesota. I finished my degree and did some post doc work there. My first academic appointment was at the Medical University of South Carolina but UofL saw that I had NIH funding and came calling with a better offer. That was 42 years ago.

UofL News: In all of your years here, what would you say is your most memorable accomplishment at UofL?Ģż

Staat: My first memorable time was when I got the notice that my NIH grant had been renewed, which is major to an assistant professor. A few years later, I developed the Admissions Index, which was one of the first attempts to combine both academic achievements and nonacademic characteristics in the selection process of students into professional schools. My Faculty Senate work is very memorable and representing the faculty of all state-supported universities at the CPE has been equally rewarding. Perhaps receiving the Presidentā€™s Distinguished Career of Service Award is the capstone to many memorable accomplishments.

UofL News: What has been the biggest challenge?Ģż

Staat: Funding of my laboratory was/is the biggest challenge. As my NIH funding dried up, I was fortunate enough to recognize that there was a new OSHA guideline recommending that all healthcare facilities using in-house sterilizers need to monitor their effectiveness using a biological system. This was similar to my Masterā€™s work and with the support of the Dental School Administration I started an entrepreneurial program to service the needs of dentists and physicians. This activity quickly became self-supporting and a continuing source of income for my lab and the Dental School.

UofL News: What drives you to get involved with the university beyond teaching?Ģż

Staat: I didnā€™t start out with the goal of being involved in these activities but two professors who were active in the administration, Drs. David Cohn and Van Stewart, kept urging me to become active in the governance of the university. They said I was good at service activities and had a voice of reason. After being a senator for several years, I was fortunate to be elected to the senate leadership position.Ģż

UofL News: Based on your experience with the Faculty and Staff Senates and CPE, what would you tell employees about their work?Ģż

Staat: One of the UofL roles that has been very rewarding is the faculty representative to the staff senate. I think they are underappreciated at times and I recognize that without them the faculty could not function.Ģż

I was one of the nominees COSFL presented to the governor to represent the faculty of the state as a member of the Council on Postsecondary ³ÉČĖÖ±²„ (CPE). The governor selected me and I have worked with CPE the last 4 years. My activities there range from the tuition setting group to helping build the new Strategic Agenda to work on the new diversity plan. What I have learned is that UofL is respected by other institutions for its quality and major steps forward.

UofL News: What is your favorite spot on campus?Ģż

Staat: Iā€™m not sure I have a favorite spot on campus other than my office as I am lucky to have windows on two sides and friendly faculty and staff stopping by.

UofL News: What is your favorite thing about Louisville in general?

Staat: Two things come to mind; one is the restaurant scene ā€¦ just too many good ones from which to choose. And, coming from the Southwest many years ago, I was amazed at the green grass and tall trees and still appreciate the greenery of Louisville and Kentucky.

UofL News: What are your retirement plans?Ģż

Staat: Iā€™m not going to totally retire, but will go 40-percent time using the Phased Retirement plan and will still do some Dental School committee work and will keep the Schoolā€™s Sterilizer Monitoring Program running strong. I will do some of the traditional retiree things such as traveling. I also have a small business manufacturing model trains and will increase my role in the business. Between the model trains and my woodworking hobby plus some travel, I may consider coming back to UofL fulltime to get a break ā€¦ just kidding.

UofL News: What is the best piece of advice you can impart on your students?Ģż

Staat: You have a great opportunity here, but as with all opportunities, it is up to you perform. The faculty canā€™t take the exams for you. Keep up with the topics so you are not overwhelmed at test time. And finally, manage your money carefully while in college and remember that you are investing in yourself and that with a degree you will make on average about $1 million more during your lifetime. An excellent return on your investment!

ā€œIā€™m so sorry I got rid of it,ā€ King said. ā€œIt would be worth something now.”

Now, book labels are generated automatically, students and researchers access books and materials online, and a Robotic Retrieval System in Ekstrom Library, installed in 2006, houses seldom-used materials to free up study space. And, following a satisfying and storied career with the Librariesā€™ Technical Services department, King is retiring. Sometime this Friday, it will have been exactly 40 years to the minute since he first started.

Heā€™s seen many changes, from Belknap campus infrastructure, to library service, to Ekstrom Library, which opened in 1981, and to the faces of student assistants who helped him sort books and stock shelves over the years.

ā€œIā€™ll leave with a ton of memories,ā€ he said.

By far the best part of his job has been working with student assistants, King said. ā€œI feel uniquely honored to have worked with some amazing students. The students were my life.ā€

As a supervisor of shelf preparation, he has worked with UofL student assistants from more than 11 countries, including India, Bangladesh, Libya, the Philippines, France, Iran, Belarus, South Korea, Vietnam and Armenia. Some have become like family.

ā€œWeā€™ve played laser tag, board games. I get invited to a lot of stuff, like birthday parties, graduation, etc. Thatā€™s why I came to work. A student said to me, ā€˜Youā€™ve been more like a father than my real father.ā€™ā€

One young student complained to King that her vacuum cleaner had broken. He had an extra one and brought it to work to give to her.Ģż Five students made a tribute to him on YouTube.

ā€œI probably have worked with a couple hundred students over the years,ā€ he said.

Stacie Alvey, a former student assistant who worked alongside King from 2010-2016, now works as a librarian for McFerran Preparatory Academy. Her choice of career arose largely as a result of having worked with King.

ā€œI knew after working here with Ben that I wanted to do this as a career. Anybody who has ever worked for Ben remembers Ben. Heā€™s a storyteller extraordinaire. I could repeat his life story. I loved it,” she said. “Heā€™s like family to me.ā€

Technical Services held a retirement ceremony for King earlier this week, with Technical Services Head Tyler Goldberg inviting him back to volunteer any time.

Kingā€™s future plans include volunteer work with the Parklands of Floyds Fork and traveling with his family.

His path eventually took him to other places ā€“ an insurance business in Elizabethtown, the University of Maryland, Cary, North Carolina, and Jewish Hospital in Louisville. But he often came back to UofL; since 1978, Inman has served in a variety of capacities on both the Belknap and HSC campuses.

In 2006, Inman was named VP for University Advancement for UofL and has served in that role since. At the end of this month, he will retire from the university before embarking on a new adventure as president of Kosair Charities.Ģż

UofL News had the chance to talk to Inman about his nearly 40-year career, what kept him coming back to campus throughout those years, and what he will miss most about working for his alma mater.

UofL News: What made you want to stay here to start your career and return again after other opportunities?

Keith Inman: For me, UofL has always been home. It has been a good place to be from and a good place to be.ĢżEarly in my career I was like a lot of young people: I had no clue what I wanted to be when I grew up, so change was necessary. As I learned more about myself, I knew I could make a difference here. I went to other places to learn, to get out of my comfort zone, be challenged, grow and to hone my trade. When I came back in 2006, it was with and for a purpose. That was to start and complete a campaign. One with a magnitude we had never done. It was a big goal, I knew given the time and resources we could do it.

UofL News: How have your roles at UofL differed? Are there any similarities?

Keith Inman: All have a development or fundraising purpose, so they were similar there. Each had a vision or role to be bigger, be the best and make a difference in their respective areas of focus.ĢżIn each area, we came to work wanting to improve and compete at higher levels. So as I think about it, there are many more similarities than differences.

UofL News: What has been your biggest challenge at UofL?

Keith Inman: It is hard to think about one challenge, there have been several. Obviously, the issues we are facing now may be the largest, as it seems to be dragging on and on. I am sure we will get through them, as many people are working hard to heal and put these events in the rear view mirror. We have always faced challenges with people not understanding the process of philanthropy, what it takes to be successful and the resources necessary to create a team.

UofL News: What would you consider your biggest personal accomplishment here?

Keith Inman: I donā€™t really think about my accomplishments, I think about our accomplishments. No one does it by themselves. There is a team behind everything. (Inmanā€™s wife Susan) and I have raised two outstanding kids. Gary the oldest is about to graduate from the Culinary Institute of America in New York. He is passionate, hard-working and driven to create. James, the youngest, is a junior at Bellarmine. He is a very good student and a great golfer. James works hard and is driven to be the best. Both are little comedians. We are very proud of each.

At UofL we have many accomplishments. The team broke 10 records in a row for fundraising production. We have established a world class Alumni Association. Advancement Services operates at a very high level with almost no mistakes. We have hired great people. When we started, Advancement was the gang that could not shoot straight; we had issues. Now we are the department that is held up as a place that is a Best Practice organization. Again, we did this together.

UofL News: What is your favorite place on campus?

Keith Inman: Crawford Gym ā€¦ No wait ā€¦ Actually, the Quadrangle between the Library, Life Sciences and Humanities. It is beautiful and peaceful.

UofL News: How has the role of advancement changed throughout your career, if at all?

Keith Inman: There have many changes. It used to be an art. With technology, it has also become a science. It is still a people business and one that is done face to face. It is about the human experience and it is about the relationship. It is about something bigger than you. It is not about you, it is about the donor and the project.Ģż It more important now than ever. As other sources of revenue and budgets decrease, this is an area that theoretically can produce an infinite amount of funding, if proper resources are supplied. It has always been about the ask and the stewardship. We all need to do a better job with the stewardship.

UofL News: What will you miss most about UofL?

Keith Inman: I know everyone says the people. I will do the same. I will miss the people. After all, what else is there? Ģż

Retirement reception scheduled July 19

A retirement reception will be held for Inman July 19 from 4-6 p.m. in the University Club Ballroom.ĢżA short program will begin at 5 p.m. RSVP by Friday, July 14 via email.

His office is responsible for the facilitation, coordination, assessment and recognition of the community engagement activities of faculty, staff and students, and also directs the activities of the .

In addition to serving on numerous community boards, Hall is co-founderĢżof the Louisville Public Radio Partnership Board of Directors. The Louisville native, Central High School graduate, is also a three-timeĢżGolden Gloves Champion. He earned his undergraduate from Dartmouth College, Law degree from Harvard University and Master of the Arts in Theological Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

UofL News had the chance to talk to Hall about his career and how the concept of community engagement has changed in the past three decades.Ģż

UofL News: What made you come back to Louisville?

Dan Hall:ĢżI was approached by UofL to oversee governmental, public and community relations. I accepted the position thinking it would provide a great opportunity to reconnect with the community before resuming my law practice. Little did I know at the beginning that it would become a labor of love for 31 years. Also, my wife Sheila and I were delighted to return home to raise our three young children in a community that is so family friendly. ĢżĢż

UofL News: In your time here, what has surprised you the most and what accomplishments have made you most proud?

Dan Hall:ĢżI was pleased to discover that very few things of significance happen in this community without the direct or indirect involvement of this wonderful university. As an anchor institution, UofL usually is involved in major new initiatives in the areas of education, healthcare, economic development, technology, social services and the arts and culture. I soon realized that UofL provided me with a wonderful platform from which to make a difference in our community.Ģż

I am particularly proud to have been the first African American appointed to a vice president position here at UofL. Iā€™m proud that I successfully secured a prominent role for UofL during the enactment of the Kentucky Postsecondary ³ÉČĖÖ±²„ Improvement Act of 1997. This historic law assigned to UofL its current mission to become a premier metropolitan research university.Ģż As a part of this legislation, the General Assembly appropriated the initial funds to create the Research Challenge Trust Fund known as the ā€œBucks for Brainsā€ program. This historic legislation and funding established the foundation and trajectory for UofL to become a major research university that is helping to transform and advance our community.Ģż

Of course, Iā€™m also very proud of the nationally recognized Signature Partnership Initiative with west Louisville. Last year more than 2,000 UofL undergraduate, graduate and professional students, along with over 600 UofL faculty and staff, participated in more than 100 research or service-learning projects in collaboration with many community partners.

UofL News: How has the concept of community engagement changed during your career?

Dan Hall: In the world of higher education, community engagement is now regarded as a critically important pedagogy for teaching students, conducting research or focusing service. In years past, community engagement simply was deemed to be a one-way street with the university reaching out to community to benefit society. The academy now understands there is a mutual benefit to community engagement. Not only does the community benefit, but student learning outcomes are advanced when students leave campus and apply what they learn in the classroom or laboratory to solving or addressing real-world issues.

UofL News: What has been your favorite thing about working here? What is your favorite part of campus?

Dan Hall: Having access to good basketball and football tickets has been my favorite thing about working at UofL. The panoramic views of campus from the windows in my office on the second floor of Grawemeyer Hall overlooking the Oval are second to none.

UofL News: What are your retirement plans?

Dan Hall: My family, including five grandchildren, will now have me full-time.Ģż I look forward to staying connected with community sharing the love of God and sharing the word of God.

Retirement party
The university community is invited to attend a retirement reception for Hall on June 22, from 4-6 p.m. in the University Club Ballroom.

A short program will begin at 5 p.m.ĢżAdditional information is .Ģż

She began her journey on Jan. 2, 1974, as a receptionist at UofLā€™s Brandeis School of Law. A couple of years later, she became the secretary to the assistant dean, then the secretary to the associate dean.

In 1991, she went to work for then-Dean Donald Burnett Jr. and has served in the same capacity for subsequent deans Laura Rothstein, Jim Chen and Susan Duncan.

ā€œAll of the deans have been so different, so diverse. You couldnā€™t have a more diverse group. But Iā€™ve liked them all,ā€ she said.

At the end of October, Becky will retire from the Brandeis School of Law.

On that same day, Beckyā€™s husband, Bobby Wimberg, will also retire after 14 years of service in UofLā€™s Physical Plant department, marking the end of the coupleā€™s combined 57 years of service to the Belknap Campus.

Becky and Bobby were newlyweds when Becky landed at the University of Louisville School of Law (it was named after Justice Louis D. Brandeis in 1997). The campusĢżitself was about a third of the size it is now. Crawford Gym was as far east as the universityā€™s property extended.

Besides the construction and revitalization efforts, Becky said the biggest changes during her tenure have been the transition to computers in the late 80s/early 90s, the law library opening (1974) and the classroom wing expansion (1982).

ā€œThe library and the new, beautiful classroom wing were both so good for the school. It was good news for us,ā€ she said.

Becky gravitates toward good news; in all of her years on campus, she points to negative coverage of UofL in general as her least favorite memory.

ā€œItā€™s hard not to take it personally. Itā€™s like when someone says something bad about your family,ā€ she said.

The law school, especially, has felt like family for Becky.

ā€œWeā€™re like our own little organization here. I like that. Iā€™ve liked getting to know people and their families,ā€ she said. ā€œAnd Iā€™ve had the chance to get to know some of the students. So many students have come through here and have gone on to become successful. Thatā€™s been one of my favorite parts of the job.ā€

Brandeis School of Law Dean Susan Duncan describes Becky as ā€œthe heart and soul of the law school.ā€

ā€œShe is reliable, hardworking, dedicated and extremely talented. She is a wonderful advocate for the school,ā€ Duncan said. ā€œMany past deans are forever grateful that Becky was at their side.ĢżBecky is more than an assistant but a true friend.ĢżWe will miss her tremendously.ā€

Learning something new every day

When Bobby started working at UofL on Oct. 7, 2002, he had one goal: to learn something new every day.

That day marked a full career change for him after 29 years working at the Philip Morris factory. When the factory closed, he went to HVAC school for a couple of years.

ā€œI always wanted to work on stuff and I figured HVAC wasnā€™t going to go away,ā€ he said. ā€œI thought (UofL) was a good direction. I had structured hours and a set schedule. Iā€™d also heard it was a good place to work.ā€

An added perk? They could commute together.

ā€œThatā€™s worked out especially well for me,ā€ Becky joked, noting that it allows her time to read the newspaper each morning. ā€œBut it was good when he came here. I think Bobby was always envious that I liked my job here a lot.ā€

Now, as he eyes retirement at the end of this month, Bobby can confidently say he accomplished his goal.

ā€œWhen I came here, I had experience, but I was doing routine work at the factory every day in the same building. Now Iā€™m doing a lot of different stuff every day ā€“ plumbing, electrical, pneumatics (pressurized air). Itā€™s refreshing,ā€ he said. ā€œWhen I left Philip Morris I was 46 years old. I thought I was too old to learn anything new. But when I went to school, I was intrigued. I wish I had done that 30 years earlier.ā€

The memories that stand out most for Bobby are weather-related. For example, when UofL flooded in 2009, a dumpster floated into his van. As the water receded, he noticed it had crashed into his driver side door and was on its side.

And during heavy snowstorms, the Physical Plant team would typically be alone on campus.

ā€œItā€™s interesting. Thereā€™s no activity but us,ā€ he said. ā€œBut itā€™s good because we can always get a lot of work done in the buildings and the classrooms when nobody else is around.ā€

ā€œBob has contributed so much to the university and Physical Plant with his calm, patient and courteous manner. He has been the steady hand that has helped lead the shop through floods, hurricanes and ice storms,ā€ said Foreman Clyde Paul.

The Wimbergs have a palpable fondness for their employer. Both describe their colleagues as family. Both are fiercely loyal to the Cardinal sports teams. In fact, one of Bobbyā€™s favorite memories as an employee is winning Sugar Bowl tickets in 2013.

ā€œWe were on ESPN and everything,ā€ he said. ā€œThat was fun. Thatā€™s just the type of stuff our university does. They try to make it a good place to work.ā€

When asked what they will miss the most about working at UofL, they agree it will be the people.

ā€œI was practically a child when I started working here. The people here and I grew up together. I know their spouses and their kids,ā€ Becky said.

Their retirement plans are simple: They have three young grandkids to keep them busy, theyā€™re building a house, they want to visit at many national parks as they possibly can and they will ā€œabsolutelyā€ continue to cheer for UofL.