Jeremy Durbin has been named the University of Illinois Springfield Employee of the Month for March 2021. He is a building service foreman working for Campus Recreation in The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC) building.
His nominator says Durbin is known for his initiative and pride in his work. He takes on additional duties without complaint and is always willing to help students and staff.
“Though he has a list of daily duties, Jeremy continually looks for ways to make TRAC look better and he takes great pride in how the facility looks and operates,” said his nominator. “It is important to him that it is clean and looks good both for our students and visitors.”
Durbin’s nominator says he was excited to come back to work in May 2020, after being away several weeks due to the shutdown of the TRAC building during the COVID-19 stay at home order.
“(The building being closed) allowed him to do some serious deep cleaning and waxing floors without interrupting staff and students. He was so proud of the way things were looking he would send me pictures,” said his nominator.
Durbin’s supervisor, Jay Swenson, says he’s been working “above and beyond” to keep TRAC clean and disinfected during the pandemic.
“With both athletes and general students using the facility, he not only has had to keep the building clean, but also disinfected,” Swenson said. “To combat this, he created an hour-by-hour disinfectant plan. This allows him and the other BSW in TRAC to stay on schedule, but also is a strong safety net if either of them miss a day.”
Swenson says Durbin “has always done an outstanding job.” He takes pride in keeping TRAC looking good and doesn’t cut corners.
“With everything that has been asked of Jeremy during the pandemic, it would have been very easy for him to keep just doing the solid job he has been," Swenson said. “Instead, he has taken it in stride, hasn’t complained, and has helped TRAC stay a clean and safe place for students.”
Durbin has strong relationships with the staff at TRAC. This allows him to be approachable which gets problems solved quickly.
“Jeremy works in a position where he would be okay just blending into the background to do his job, yet he does the opposite," Swenson said. “He is visible and makes a point to get to know the staff at TRAC. This allows for a strong relationship when it comes to helping those employees.”
Durbin's supervisor also praises his ability to prepare for large events at TRAC.
“He makes sure everything looks good and the bathrooms are clean and stocked,” Swenson said. “Since TRAC hosts outside groups, this could be the first and only time someone sees campus. It’s important they have a good first experience and Jeremy helps make that a reality.”