The Chase

Issue date: 3/1/10 Section: Entertainment

Mr. Montoya posing for his shot in the CUB. Photo by Kallie Griffin.

At Eastern New Mexico University there are many employees who are what some would call, behind the scenes. These employees play an incredibly vital role in keeping our school in tip top shape. Without these valuable staff members, our school most likely would not be able to function. The people whom I speak of are our custodial staff.

John Montoya is one member of this important workforce. He is one of three custodians who tend to the Campus Union Building (CUB), one of our most used buildings on campus that totals as 55,000 sq ft. Mr. Montoya has now worked at ENMU for 12 years, and for all of these 12 years he has worked in the CUB. Mr. Montoya began his work in 1971 as a cook in the CUB. Eventually he moved onto the custodial staff and has been doing that ever since. He is one man who knows all of the daily operations of the building and takes care of all of the procedures that most students and faculty are unaware of. When a student is set up to do tabling in the CUB they most likely come in at the set time to start tabling and find their table already set up and ready to go. When asked, Shelagh Smith, president of the FCS Student Unit had no idea how the tables in the CUB got set up or who was in charge of it, her best guess was that some staff in housing were the one's who deserved the credit. Mr. Montoya is actually the one who deserves the credit for setting up not only the tables in the CUB, but the floor plan for the entire building. Shelagh is not alone in not understanding all of the operations of the custodian staff in not only the CUB, but all around campus.

Many students might not take the time or interest to know that Mr. Montoya not only cares for one of our main buildings on campus, but also takes many classes with the students. He mentioned how he has taken about every class provided over the past 12 years. He enjoys learning and the education that is provided on campus. Also, when asked if Mr. Montoya would ever want to work in a building he responded with a quick firm no. He obviously considers his job in the CUB as more than just work. One who takes the time to speak with him about his career would realize that he is quite passionate about all of the upkeep he performs on the CUB.

Mr. Montoya is "second in command" when it comes to the three custodians employed at the CUB. He has been here the second longest and only has three years left until his retirement. At that time he will have worked at the CUB for a total of 15 years. For 15 years Mr. Montoya has met many different students and faculty who use the CUB. He speaks fondly of the relationships that he has built with students and staff alike.

He has enjoyed working with the fellow custodians even more. He mentions that all three custodians on staff make an excellent team in caring for the building. He would never want to change where he works or who he works with. If Mr. Montoya can feel so passionately about his work and be a part in taking care of our building so well, he deserves a little more credit. So next time you see one of the staff members on campus who might not get as much recognition as they deserve just offer a simple token of your gratitude. Because who knows what the CUB would look like if we did not have the three dedicated custodians on staff.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools