Parting
Penn State Intercom......November
14, 2002
Facilities service worker
retires after 35 years
J.R. Cole, facilities service worker with Outreach and Cooperative Extension, has retired after more than 35 years of service with the University.
He spent much of his career with Continuing Education, starting April 1, 1967, as the mail clerk in Keller Building. After six months, he became an Audiovisual Services driver. Six years later, he became an audiovisual technician with Audiovisual Services and spent 12 years operating the audiovisual facilities in Forum Building. He transferred from there to Keller Building to operate the audiovisual facilities of the conference center.
In his role as a facilities service worker, he was a courier for Outreach and Cooperative Extension, making special deliveries of mail, computers and other materials and collecting and depositing funds for units. He made daily trips to Shaver's Creek Environmental Center. In addition, he handled setup for first-aid and driving programs offered through the Institute for Justice and Safety at the University's test track.
Cole is the recipient of several safe driving awards and the Marybeth Reese Award for Community Service from Continuing and Distance Education. He is a 1964 graduate of Bald Eagle Area High School.
In retirement, he plans to continue his work with the Boy Scouts organization, as well as serve as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.