friday takeout

Green Corner

The Peosta campus was awarded a grant from the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA) to purchase several multi-stream recycling containers for the Peosta campus! The units are in transit and will be assembled soon.

The main unit will be placed in the Cougar Cafe with four other units placed throughout the campus. We want to continue to make it easy for you to recycle on campus, but we need your help! Please look for these units and make a conscious effort to use them.

Thank you to all faculty and staff who completed the recycling survey this past December. There were 108 respondents! Recycling is important to our campus community. On a Likert scale (1 strongly disagree and 5 strongly agree) the average response to, “how important is recycling to you?” was a 4.4. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, recycling:

● Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators

● Conserves natural resources such as timber, water and minerals

● Increases economic security by tapping a domestic source of materials

● Prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials

● Saves energy

Tom Ward

Plant Services Director | Calmar Campus

What is something you have done that would surprise others who never knew?

I am very involved in the community and have volunteered for more than 30 years in the Calmar Fire Department and 16 years as a first responder for South Winn Fire Department. I have also operated an auto detailing business for the past eight years.

What is your favorite part of the job or workday at the College?

After 35 years, the College is like a second family and coming to work is still always something new and changing. I am lucky to work with good people!

What is one thing you know now that you wish you had known as a kid?

I learned that the years really do fly by, and it is important to enjoy every day!

What childhood experience most impacted your current set of values or your career path?

I was raised on a family farm with 13 siblings. Everyone had chores to do – morning, evening and weekends! At our house, you didn’t want to be late for a meal or you took your chances on eating. Growing up taught me the value of working hard and doing what needs to be done. I hope that my wife, Luann, and I have passed these values to our five children.

Why did you choose your current profession?

I was working in Decorah at a car wash, and John Nubel, director of personnel for NICC at the time, was passing through the wash and mentioned that there was an opening in custodial at the College. I applied and was offered the position at the current minimum wage: $3.25. After starting, I enrolled in electrical program courses. So, the profession chose me!