Thursday, August 3, 2006 11:01 PM CDT
EIU elected officials thank workers for construction efforts on campus
By NATHANIEL WEST, Staff Writer
nwest@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON -- What better way to thank the workers completing construction projects large and small on the Eastern Illinois University campus than with barbecue and bratwurst?
During a luncheon Thursday for hundreds of crew members, EIU and elected officials praised the tradesmen and laborers involved with such projects as the renovation and expansion of the Doudna Fine Arts Center.
“You may see me standing outside the construction fence watching,” said EIU President Lou Hencken. “We watch what you do, and we really appreciate what you do.”
According to Gary Reed, director of EIU Facilities Planning and Management, the Charleston university has 112 “active work orders” for internal employees valued at about $2.7 million.
EIU has hired more than 60 tradesmen over the summer, mostly for the renovations Thomas and Douglas residence halls, Reed reported.
Meanwhile, the university is undergoing about a half-dozen contracted projects, including the $6.8-million Doudna expansion as well as:
-- The $1.1-million addition to Lantz Arena.
-- The $2-million electrical distribution system upgrade.
-- The $1.4-million sprinkler system upgrade in Carman Hall.
-- The $148,000 fume hood upgrades at the Physical Science Building.
-- And the $299,000 parking lot maintenance projects.
All of the internal and contracted workers were invited to Thursday’s luncheon, the menu of which included cold cuts, beans, bratwurst and barbecue-pulled pork.
“I wanted to say thank you to all of you here for making our communities what they are,” said state Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet. “The base is right here. You guys make everything happen here in our community.”
Projects like the Doudna expansion, a collaboration between state and local officials, afford “good jobs” in this area, said Rose.
“They keep people employed,” he said.
Hencken reminded those attending the luncheon that their efforts go toward making the university better, which is better for the students enrolled there.
“What you do with the physical facilities continues to move us toward the goal of being the best public Midwestern university we can be,” said Hencken.
“Everyone in this room has a job because of the students, and everything is done for the students.”
Contact Nathaniel West at nwest@jg-tc.com or 238-6860.
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