Service staff are an invaluable part of University Residences’ efforts to create a home for students on campus. They are a smiling face or a greeting to a student every morning, someone a student can lean on for assistance, a consistent presence for someone who may be homesick, a source of positivity and so much more.
Beyond the relationships they form with students, service workers provide critical work behind the scenes, preparing halls for move-in, installing and rearranging furniture in rooms based on housing needs, and ensuring a clean and safe environment among their many duties. In addition, service staff are often quick to notice when a student is in distress, helping Residential Life staff direct these students to the resources they need.
University Residences’ partnership with Building Services, part of Purdue Physical Facilities, forms the foundation of the critical work performed by service staff. University Residences and Building Services thank these individuals and teams for their outstanding efforts and honor the memory of a former administrator as an ongoing series of special meals.
These meals continue the memory of Gerald J. “Gerry” Kungel, who worked in residence hall administration for 34 years. A 1956 graduate of Purdue, Kungel received the Special Boilermaker Award in honor of his service to the university in 1989. He served as an assistant manager in various residence halls before becoming manager of Owen Hall in 1960, then helped plan and open McCutcheon Hall as manager in 1963. His final position as associate director of residence halls oversaw physical facilities, where he worked closely with service staff.
An interview with the Purdue Exponent in 1989 provides insight into Kungel’s appreciation for service staff.
“They help to maintain a family kind of atmosphere,” Kungel said. “Our service workers and our standards because of them are very envied. We want students to think that (our standards) are better than home.”
In memory of Gerry, his son, Terry, and others created the G.J. Kungel Service Staff Dependability Award. The award was originally bestowed to a residence hall or graduate housing service staff team based on the attendance and dedication of the team. Each quarter, the winning staff would receive a special meal.
Today, the award has evolved into a recognition of all Building Services staff who work within university residence spaces. Each residence hall and night shift team is honored at meals spaced throughout the year. These meals are an opportunity for the administration to serve food in thanks of the efforts of service staff and recognize the special accomplishments of each team. Whether helping with roof maintenance or converting room sizes, each team is recognized for the ways it has gone above and beyond to serve Purdue students.
“It is no mystery that it is a collaborative effort that allows us to offer a safe and clean home away from home to the students who choose to live in University Residences,” says Wendy Tommas-Dolick, associate director of facilities for Building Services. “The G.J. Kungel award was conceived to recognize the dependability and commitment demonstrated by facilities staff – characteristics recognized and valued by Kungel. The spirit of the Kungel Award continues to thrive as staff show up day after day to do their part. To have University Residences continue to recognize these efforts is very much appreciated and enhances these partnerships that play such a crucial role in student success.”
"It is important to University Residences to continue the spirit of the Kungel Award, by taking time to thank all those in Building Services,” says Renee Kashawlic, alumni relationships & special events director for University Residences and Dining & Culinary. “While no longer in the official reporting structure of UR, we know the work of our Residential Life team would not be possible without these teams. They are the first in come morning and the last to leave at night. They ensure our students have safe and clean homes to sleep, study, and play. Routes clear of snow and ice to get to and from class and work. They flip rooms, rearrange furniture, clear trash, and clean up after celebrations and college shenanigans. They are a morning smile wishing a student a good day, and the 'how was the test' when changing out a lightbulb, and even the 'you forgot this' when refreshing the floor restroom. Again, University Residences could not do our job without the work of those in Building Services, we are ever grateful."
University Residences thanks Physical Facilities, Building Services and the numerous staff who continue to help students find their campus home.