The following photographs and brief biographies are a tribute to the folks that keep Park University beautiful. These five individuals are a fraction of the folks who work with environmental services. Next time you see them, perhaps you will call them by name, shake their hand and introduce yourself.
Rene Chaurand was in born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and worked with General Motors for 34 years. In his free time he says he enjoys open spaces and nature through the game of golf. His wife Consuelo works in the Norrington building. When asked to recall a comical janitorial experience, Chaurand tells of last Halloween.
“About a year ago,” says Chaurand, “I was cleaning the second floor during Halloween and the hallways were all dark. I came around a corner and a student popped out and scared the lights out of me. I didn’t expect that.”
Chaurand says he would never want to impose on students but that using ashtrays and cleaning up trash would greatly help environmental services do their job.
Evelyn Robles is one of the newer additions to the Park Environmental Services staff. Originally from San Jose, Cuba, Robles has been in the U.S. for approximately one year and has worked at Park for three months. In her free time she says she enjoys listening to music and salsa dancing.
Maria Fernandes was also born in San Jose, Cuba, and says she has known Robles since she was a small child. Fernandes has three boys, ages 21, 32 and 35, and a dachshund named Pacho, whom she has owned for the nine out of 10 years she has lived in the United States. She says in her free time she likes to be with family, mainly staying at home or going to restaurants
“I’ve worked at Park for five years,” says Fernandes, “When I began Copley (Quad) wasn’t built yet. I’ve become close with many students and watched many students graduate. I’ve also heard lots of ghost stories about Park but I haven’t seen anything yet.
“I like my job, I like to help people and take care of everyone. When students help out by taking care of the campus to, I feel appreciated.”
Mike Tucci was born in Kansas City, and mainly services Park’s athletic facilities. He says when he isn’t working at Park, he stays busy with a variety of other occupations.
“I do a lot of things,” says Tucci, “I lay carpet, recycle scrap metal, poor concrete, work on cars, etc.
“I like the kids at Park. You guys are good and treat me right. In reality, it’s all about you guys, because you’re the ones that pay our bills, and you ought to be treated well. We’re here for you guys, I like to help out however I can, whether it’s helping a student with their car, or whatever.”
Tucci says some of the funniest items he’s found on the job include a variety of snakes and a dead bat.
Jorge De La Paz grew up on a small dairy farm in Cuba, working with his father and grandfather. In middle school he began playing baseball – among other sports – and at the age of 25 played professionally for the region of Ranchuelo. He went on to teach high school history in Cuba. In 1996, he moved to the United States.
“I haven’t taught in 25 years,” says De La Paz. “The other day a Spanish instructor at Park taught me to teach for a day about the Cuban Revolution. I loved it. The students gave an ovation when I finished.
“I like Park because you can talk with the students and share life experiences with them, the students are the best. I love sports and I love people, and at Park there is both.”
De La Paz says learning English at his age is difficult, but that he enjoys speaking English with anyone and isn’t afraid to do so. His last name is Spanish for “peace.”
“I have in my heart and peace with everybody,” says De La Paz.
