Celebration salutes UMB’s 351 facilities professionals.
UMB facilities employees have a lot going on.
They’re making sure all 60-plus UMB buildings are open, inviting, and well maintained. They’re ensuring all things electrical, mechanical, and environmental work exactly how they should. They’re designing and executing the University’s plans for the future of the campus. And they’re making sure all of the above happens in a sustainable manner.
That’s not a one-and-done list. That’s on their docket every single day.
Recently, UMB honored the individuals and teams that make it all happen during the school’s third annual World Facilities Day celebration. This global event recognizes the vital work that facilities professionals do in keeping our institution up and running.
Facilities and Operations
Boasting a team of more than 350 professionals, the attendees came from Construction & Facilities Strategic Acquisitions, Design and Construction, Environmental Services (EVS), Operations & Maintenance, Project Delivery & Change Management, and Sustainability.
The multi-session event (one for the day crew, one for the evening crew) was hosted by Anna Borgerding, PMP, assistant vice president, Facilities & Operations, and the nine-member planning committee and featured a full slate of UMB’s leadership. Each session included remarks from select deans, a review of department accomplishments, team-building activities, and a meal prepared by Xquisite Catering, a local, black woman-owned business.
The morning session was kicked off by remarks by School of Dentistry Dean Mark A. Reynolds, DDS, PhD, MA, and Health Sciences and Human Services Library Dean Emily Hurst, MSLS.
The evening session speakers included School of Social Work Dean Judy L. Postmus, PhD, ACSW; Vice Provost for Graduate Education and School of Graduate Studies Dean Kenneth H. Wong, PhD; School of Pharmacy Dean Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD; and the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the School of Nursing Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD, NNP, FNAP, FAAN. Each shared examples of how the facilities team contributes significantly to the research, teaching, and care provided in their schools.
Crashing the Party
UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, and Provost and Executive Vice President Roger J. Ward, EdD, JD, MSL, MPA, made an impromptu appearance at the morning session. The two shook hands with attendees, shared their appreciation, and even brought out some big laughs with a few well-timed zingers.
The levity around the room underscored how much the day meant to those in attendance.
Rene Hargrove, a senior manager with EVS, was attending her second World Facilities Day celebration. “It’s about bringing people together, collaborating, and getting to know each other. My favorite part of my job is dealing with people. I’m a people person, and I love communicating and getting to know people and helping them any way I can.”
Paul Dinkins, a manager in EVS, was celebrating his first World Facilities Day at UMB. He found the collaborative aspect of the day, and UMB as a whole, unique. “It’s interesting that we have access to information about the different departments, understanding how they all work together, and the opportunities. I’m not used to being exposed to so much information.”
Thomas Garvey, in the multi-trades shop with Operations and Maintenance, said, “It’s a day to celebrate each of us and our accomplishments. We’re a diverse team, with lots of different departments, and everyone brings something to the table. It’s a lot of fun.”
One of the benefits of annual events is that they provide an opportunity to look back over everything that was accomplished that year. The list for the UMB facilities team was — as always — impressive. A brief sampling included breaking ground on the new School of Social Work Building, overseeing 66 projects actively in construction, streamlining procurement policies and procedures, increasing select trade apprenticeship programs, introducing a new space implementation program, and earning a silver rating for the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS).
In addition to the main events, UMB also hosted satellite celebrations for the building systems chiefs who work evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays and the professionals working at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center in Catonsville.
In the end, the day offered a time to connect with colleagues old and new, and enjoy some well-earned recognition. But like all good things, it came to an end too soon. And just like that, they were all back at it. Because UMB facilities employees have a lot going on.