Ken Ward is a Physical Plant staff member. He is one of the many custodians on campus who take care of our buildings so we can teach and learn in a clean environment. Many of the students and faculty on campus recognize him when they enter the Jeffords Center because he always welcomes them and gives help to those who need it.

1. How long have you worked at Castleton?

“It will be 10 years full-time but I was here a year before that so 11 years all together. But I was also a student here 35 years ago.”

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

“My day starts at four a.m. I get done at 11:30. I take care of all the trash, the chalk boards, vacuum, you wash what you can. It’s a big building. You do what you can to keep it as neat as you can.”

3. What is the most rewarding experience you have had at Castleton?

“Meeting the students. Most of them are here for several years and you get to know them.”

4. How does it feel to be named the Employee of the Semester?

“I was surprised. To me it doesn’t feel like I do above and beyond. They said all of these things I do [alluding to the Convocation ceremony when he was recognized]. But to me I feel it’s part of my job. It’s an honor. And I haven’t been here as long [as some of the other employees].”

5. What hobbies do you have?

“I’m a very avid well not as avid as much anymore but crocheting. As a matter of fact, one of my Afghans won first place in the Vermont Grange. I don’t know if it’s necessarily a hobby but I have a 16-month-old granddaughter who lives with us. So I take care of her quite a lot after work because my daughter is a full-time student here.”

6. What do you like most about working at Castleton?

“The students, staff, and faculty have always been really nice. I told the original supervisor when I started that I would stay as long as it was fun. Sometimes it’s not so fun anymore, but I’m still here, [smiling].”

7. What do you like the least about working at Castleton?

“It’s a toss up. I don’t like to dust and I don’t like to clean the bathrooms, [laughing].”

8. Anything else you would like to add? An interesting fact about yourself?

“As I said before I was a student here 35 years ago. But even before I was associated with the college, I used to come play here. The president’s son was in my grade school class. That was back when the president’s house sat where the Fine Arts Center is now. And the Fine Arts Center didn’t exist.