Up and working before the majority of Hamilton, Colgate University’s custodial staff is ready and willing to serve the campus community before the sun rises. Many custodians start work at 5 or 6 a.m. and are done shortly after lunch, a schedule that often limits the chances they get to interact with students and staff members in their assigned buildings.
Despite the limited interactions, many custodians go above and beyond for their students. They keep buildings running and maintain cleanliness throughout campus. While Colgate as a whole may get recognized for its beauty, the work of the custodians in this effort often goes unnoticed, and their stories unheard.
At 113 Broad Street, Brooke Doroshenko has started to care for the facilities, and though she hasn’t been a custodian at Colgate for long, she’s found it to be a nice change of pace from her previous job in healthcare, where she worked for 20 years.
“I’m a mother of seven and grandmother of two,” Doroshenko shared. “I took this job to slow down and focus on my family more.”
In her limited downtime, the Morrisville, N.Y., native enjoys reading, kayaking and hiking. She also just recently got the opportunity to travel outside of the country for the first time, touring Italy over Christmas.
Having only started the job in November, Doroshenko hasn’t had many opportunities to interact with students, but emphasized that she really loves the people she works with and for, and wants the best for Colgate students and their experiences at the University.
Just across the street from Doroshenko is Kadie Farrow, a custodian in the Huntington Gymnasium, Lineberry Natatorium and Trudy Fitness Center.
Farrow grew up as one of three kids on a dairy farm in Earlville, N.Y., just down the road from Hamilton. In her free time, she enjoys bowling and spending time with her dogs Luna, Timmy and Ellie Mae, along with her pet cow, Shellie.
Farrow is not new to Colgate. She has worked in many buildings around campus and has loved all of the people she works around. She also enjoys the problem-solving nature of her job.
“I enjoy the people in my buildings and getting to know them, and the challenge of being a custodian some days, like trying to be a problem solver and help,” Farrow reflected.
Also a fan of interacting with students, Farrow appreciates the little things, like the humor shared through simple messages with students and athletes.
“I enjoy writing some random questions or jokes on some of the white boards in some of the locker rooms to see what you students have to say. Everyone always has some good answers,” Farrow highlighted.
Farrow shared that she appreciates the work Colgate students do to clean up after themselves. It’s always helpful to the custodians and is often a strong suit for a lot of the student body.
Michael Schneeman is a custodian up the hill in Curtis Hall and occasionally helps with athletic events. Originally from New Jersey, he moved to the area around 21 years ago. He currently lives with his wife and two kids and enjoys spending his free time with them.
“The thing I like to do outside of work is spending time with my wife and kids, doing all kinds of fun stuff,” Schneeman said.
Schneeman has been keeping busy recently as his oldest daughter is graduating high school early. He’s looking forward to planning her graduation party and seeing her perform in an upcoming SUNY Morrisville play.
These three custodians are just a few of the many men and women that keep Colgate running smoothly. They do a great deal for us and appreciate efforts to get to know them better. While these are just a few get-to-know-you facts about the three, taking a moment to meet and say hello to Colgate’s exceptional custodians is never a bad idea.
