In recognition of National Cleaning Week, March 24-30, NDWorks joined Building Services in recognizing the value and importance of our professional cleaning staff and their work.
“This team is crucial in providing a clean, healthy and safe environment for the campus community,” Chris Hatfield, senior director for Building Services, says. “They rise to cleaning challenges associated with athletic tournaments, commencement, football season, student move-outs and much more.”
University custodial teams are responsible for cleaning 150 buildings spanning more than 8 million cleanable square feet of campus throughout the year.
In celebration of the more than 350 employees dedicated to cleaning campus, we’re highlighting Karen Fulford and Jessica Rutledge from the custodial team.
Karen Fulford
Almost five years working at Notre Dame
When asked what she likes best about her job, Karen said, “Meeting new people, and I love helping others. I get to answer the questions students or staff have and help them.”
What makes you feel appreciated?
“When my colleagues say ‘thank you’ for all I do, including the staff and faculty in different buildings. They notice things and say ‘thank you’ and they’re appreciative of it. At Notre Dame, everybody is a family, and everybody comes together and treats one another with respect and dignity. I love that, too.”
Fun facts about Karen: She has two teenage children and loves to play the flute.
Jessica Rutledge
24 years working at Notre Dame
Where on campus do you work?
“When someone asks me where I work I tend to say everywhere. My main buildings that I help to take care of are Hesburgh Library, Smith Center, Raclin-Carmichael and the Rock.”
Jessica says the thing she likes best about her job are the people she gets to work with and meet on campus.
“What makes me feel appreciated is when someone stops and says ‘thank you’ and acknowledges the job that we do,” she says. “And doughnuts are always good, too.”
Fun facts about Jessica: She likes to draw and paint.
Originally published by at ndworks.nd.edu on April 02, 2024.