DePauw Stories

standing l-r: Johnnie Briones (team leader), Pam Sweet, Jared Hutchison, Samuel Fauber, Thomas Dodson, James Wright (team leader), John Baker, Brian Nees
sitting l-r: Mark Saunders (team leader), LuAnn Althouse, Brandy Birge, Heather Fauber, Derrick Cox (supervisor), John York
not pictured: Les Groce and Heather Norberg

If you aren’t on campus between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, you may not know that 16 of our colleagues are here. Divided into three teams, they systematically descend upon campus in the wee hours and work their magic while the rest of us are fast asleep. And even though we don’t see them or rarely have a chance to know them, we’re certainly thankful for what they do.

Below are brief introductions of the folks who work hard to keep our buildings clean. Many shared why third shift suits them, their struggles with daytime sleeping and their interests outside of work.

“I really like working for DePauw,” LuAnn Althouse says. “I love my coworkers and getting to know some students.” Althouse has worked third shift for five years. Daytime sleeping is only challenging, she says, if she has things going on during the day and has to get up early. “So sometimes you don’t always get your sleep before you come in, but it’s not bad after you get used to it.”  

John Baker is new to DePauw, here just two months. He worked at a chemical plant for 40 years, but lost his job when the production line moved to China. “I’ve never done this kind of work before, and have learned a lot,” he says. “It’s a really good crew to work with. If someone needs help, we step in.”

Brandy Birge has been at DePauw for four years, and the hours suit her. They enable her to be home during the day with her son. “I really like working here,” she says. “I love being busy, and the work keeps me fit.” A challenge? “It’s harder to sleep during the day. It’s totally different sleep.”

During Johnnie Briones’ 37-year tenure at DePauw, he’s been on grounds crew, worked at the service center and delivered mail. “When I had an opportunity to coach at South Putnam schools 21 years ago, the only way I could do that was to go on third shift.” What he’d like to share with the DePauw community: “Let them know they’re well taken care of at night because we have some really good people working for us.”

Derrick Cox has worked at DePauw for 34 years, nine of them on second shift and 25 on third. He has been a supervisor for the last 20 years. “I like the hours and the people; I do have good people working for me,” he says. What does he like to do when he’s not working? “Spend time with my grandson and fish . . . at night.”

A desire to help take care of his autistic grandson inspired Thomas Dodson to leave his home and eventually his job in Indianapolis and move closer to Greencastle. “I’ve been here four years, and I like the job,” he says. “Our team works well together. If you see something that needs attention, you take care of it.” And how’s his grandson? “He’s doing awesome!"

“The difference we make” is what inspires Heather Fauber. “When we leave a building, it’s nice and clean, and it’s good for the students,” she says. “That’s what I enjoy about it.” What does she like to do in her free time? “I have two grandkids and really enjoy spending time with them.”

For just over a year, Sam Fauber has been working third shift and, while he admits the job gets stressful at times, he says, “I like this shift, and having a really good team helps.”

Jared Hutchison has worked third shift for almost 18 years. “I stay on third shift because of the people,” he says. “DePauw has been really good to me; it’s a great place to work. I have not met a faculty member or staff member or coach who works here that hasn’t said to me, ‘Thank you for what you’re doing, for keeping our buildings clean.’ Even the students say that to me.”

Brian Nees has worked third shift for 15 years following a 27-year career at Oxford Automotive and says the hours can be rough. “It took me a few years to adjust, but I like the team-cleaning aspect of the job.” A favorite thing to do outside of work? Trout fishing in the Cumberland River in Kentucky.

As a team leader, Mark Sanders says it always helps to have patience. “We also try to make it fun sometimes. We talk about things that we do in our lives and places we go. It’s not all perfect, but it’s pretty good most of the time.” Sanders has been at DePauw for 12 years and when he’s not at work, he likes traveling and gardening.

Pam Sweet began working at DePauw in 2008 as a cashier in the Hub. “I really liked the interaction with students,” she says. She moved to third shift in 2015 to work hours closer to her husband’s. What does she like about working at DePauw? “I like the atmosphere. The benefits. The people. It’s a good place to work.”

James Wright came to DePauw almost 12 years ago after working in a factory. For the last nine years, he’s been a team leader. “It is what you make it,” he says of the work. “You can make it easier for yourself if you’re organized and more of a people person.” Team leaders organize the the team’s work schedule – who does what on which days. Daily responsibilities rotate to add variety. He says he’s learned a lot since becoming a team leader. What does he do when he’s not working? “I like to help take care of my grandbabies, play the piano and draw.”

The newest team member is John York. He’s been here four weeks. “I like it. I’ve worked thirds before, and there are a lot of benefits to working here,” he says. “We just try to stay on top of things. It’s not anything that’s difficult, but they’re things that are easily overlooked if someone’s not paying attention.” In his spare time York coaches football at North Putnam High School.