When asked what she is most proud of during her 20 years at Temple University Center City, Facilities Manager Nedra Darrisaw is happy to point to her plants and what she has been able to accomplish with them on campus.
“I am so proud that I have been able to beautify this campus with my plants. I have about 55 plants — plants on every floor and in every lounge,” she said with a smile. “When I first got here, I initially didn’t realize what was missing. I mentioned to my boss at the time that the walls and walkways were so bare. I started thinking about and planning what we could do to make students and visitors who come into the building feel like we’re saying ‘Welcome!’”
Darrisaw, who was recently inducted into Temple’s 20-Year Club for 20 years of dedicated service to the University, said she started small.
“I started putting small plants in certain areas and little by little added more. People really started noticing and recognized how warm and welcoming it made the campus spaces,” she said. “We really couldn’t turn back then. The beautification of Temple Center City (TUCC), I’m proud to say, became part of my yearly performance development review.”
Of course, there’s an old saying about once you start something.
“We had this bookstore space, which had been empty for a long time. We started talking about what we could do to make it another inviting space,” she said. “I started, naturally, with plants, and I’ve been able to make that space into a lounge for TUCC staff and faculty.”
According to Darrisaw, she first arrived at Temple Center City when she was working for Allied Barton Security Company. She joined the Facilities Management team at TUCC for a few years when a manager position became available “and I jumped at the opportunity.”
“By that point, I had really gotten to know the people here. The people were so friendly, that I knew it would be a good place to work,” she said. “Today, I couldn’t even think about going anywhere else. What’s kept me here is the people — I have contact with so many people every single day. I met my lawyer and my accountant through working here — there is a lot of networking that takes place.”
A closeknit campus, Darrisaw said, “you really have the opportunity to connect with the people you work with, to learn about their families and meet their children.”
“Being recognized for 20 years of service here at TUCC, it means a lot to me. It’s funny but I really didn’t realize I had been here that long until I received the notice from the 20-Year Club,” she said. “The time went by so fast. I’m glad I was able to stay in one location in my time here and I’m honored that they felt that it was important for me to be recognized.”
The work that Darrisaw and her team at Temple City undertake each day impacts everyone on campus.
“We are responsible for putting together special set-ups for classes, meetings, conferences and special events. We provide tours to groups interested in reserving our spaces,” she said. “Essentially, we’re involved in anything that might involve a work order. This campus has evening hours that make it convenient for people who work to take advantage of the programs and resources we have to offer. Internal or external, we have a responsibility to make sure that the campus is ready for anyone that needs it.”
For Darrisaw and her team, it’s next stop Broad Street in the next few years as Temple Center City makes the transition from its current location to Terra Hall, formerly part of the University of the Arts.
“We are working closely with the director of TUCC to ensure that we do our part to make the transition as smooth as possible,” she said. “For myself, my goal is to stay happy and healthy and continue to help TUCC shine. I want the campus to be on the tip of the tongue for anyone that wants to rent space or take a class or enrich their lives. I want them to be thinking about the Center City Campus.”