By Stephanie Brewster
Before the sun has begun to kiss Our Lady of the Rockies on the horizon, and the eggs, hashbrowns, and sausage are fried on the griddle at the SUB, the “men behind the brooms” are there- preparing Prospector and Centennial Residence Halls for the day. Some of us Tech students can’t even bring ourselves to wriggle out of bed early enough to catch them in action. While we are cocooned in our covers, Dan, Billy, Jeremy, and Penn beat the sunrise and are hard at work.
Dan Lowney, an employee with Montana Tech for 10 years in March, can be found meticulously looking after students early in the morning. His work is so detailed and careful that I once found him removing a house plant from the girl’s bathroom sink in Centennial in order to clean under it and gently place it back again. In response to this, he said that he didn’t want to harm it with cleaning supplies- he likes Venus Fly Traps too much. He also offered the advice of sunlight, water, and a little bit of love to help our Resicence Hall plant grow.
In order to help students grow and thrive, Dan offered up this advice: “Go to class. Just show up everytime. You can do it.”
He related many of the students he sees to a close friend of his. Once a high school dropout, he went back for his college degree and found success- the first step was simply showing up.
“Attendence is everything”, he said.
Dan’s passion for students is evident on campus. It can be seen in the clear sidewalks on fridged winter mornings, the refreshingly clean bathrooms, and the way trash disappear from the halls before we notice its presence. When asked what motivates him to take such diligent care of students, Dan responded that we are the catalysts.
“You guys are great to work with, ” Dan smiled.
Dan has witnessed years of freshman come into the resident halls and move on to graduation. They’re left wondering, “Where has the time gone?” in the conglomeration of late nights studying, early mornings working, and weekends socked in with social activities. He observes it all and says that it is this process, seeing lost students discover their way, that motivates him.
This is the same heart behind each “man behind the broom” you see in the dorms. These men are so much more than the preventers of “First World Probs”, such as running out of toilet paper in the bathroom- they are the epitome of the saying, “Not all superheroes wear capes.” If you’re quick enough to catch them, you might see them in the halls on an early morning. Take the time to shake their hand- it could be your chance to meet a superhero. So, if you are looking for someone to be thankful for this season, look no further than outside your resident hall door. They are there- vaccuming, cleaning, and caring about students.
Before the sun has begun to kiss Our Lady of the Rockies on the horizon, and the eggs, hashbrowns, and sausage are fried on the griddle at the SUB, the “men behind the brooms” are there- preparing Prospector and Centennial Residence Halls for the day. Some of us Tech students can’t even bring ourselves to wriggle out of bed early enough to catch them in action. While we are cocooned in our covers, Dan, Billy, Jeremy, and Penn beat the sunrise and are hard at work.
Dan Lowney, an employee with Montana Tech for 10 years in March, can be found meticulously looking after students early in the morning. His work is so detailed and careful that I once found him removing a house plant from the girl’s bathroom sink in Centennial in order to clean under it and gently place it back again. In response to this, he said that he didn’t want to harm it with cleaning supplies- he likes Venus Fly Traps too much. He also offered the advice of sunlight, water, and a little bit of love to help our Resicence Hall plant grow.
In order to help students grow and thrive, Dan offered up this advice: “Go to class. Just show up everytime. You can do it.”
He related many of the students he sees to a close friend of his. Once a high school dropout, he went back for his college degree and found success- the first step was simply showing up.
“Attendence is everything”, he said.
Dan’s passion for students is evident on campus. It can be seen in the clear sidewalks on fridged winter mornings, the refreshingly clean bathrooms, and the way trash disappear from the halls before we notice its presence. When asked what motivates him to take such diligent care of students, Dan responded that we are the catalysts.
“You guys are great to work with, ” Dan smiled.
Dan has witnessed years of freshman come into the resident halls and move on to graduation. They’re left wondering, “Where has the time gone?” in the conglomeration of late nights studying, early mornings working, and weekends socked in with social activities. He observes it all and says that it is this process, seeing lost students discover their way, that motivates him.
This is the same heart behind each “man behind the broom” you see in the dorms. These men are so much more than the preventers of “First World Probs”, such as running out of toilet paper in the bathroom- they are the epitome of the saying, “Not all superheroes wear capes.” If you’re quick enough to catch them, you might see them in the halls on an early morning. Take the time to shake their hand- it could be your chance to meet a superhero. So, if you are looking for someone to be thankful for this season, look no further than outside your resident hall door. They are there- vaccuming, cleaning, and caring about students.