4
Steward ’ 86 Leaves Williamson After 29 Years As Groundskeeper
James Steward 8W6 , supervisor of grounds and transportation since 1991 , has left Williamson to pursue his own business saying , “ It ’ s time for me to move on to a new chapter .”
Steward believes his 29-year tenure is a Williamson record for the position . “ Bill Crothers had the second longest tenure with between 20-25 years ,” he said .
Known for putting in long , hard hours , he said , “ I didn ’ t mind working extra hours because I enjoyed what I did here and wanted to stick with a job until it was completed .”
Looking back over his time at Williamson , Steward said , “ It has been interesting to watch the students go from freshmen to seniors and then come back as alumni with their own children . I also have enjoyed seeing the changes to Williamson over the years and get satisfaction knowing I was a part of it . My favorite part of the job over the years has been working with the equipment ; I love equipment .”
Steward , who supervised students working off hours on Saturdays , said in this three years as a machine tool technology student he received 24 hours , eight of which were intentional . “ I was an active Boy Scout leader and was running my own part-time business and had a lot to do so one Friday , knowing I was not going to miss anything important , I left right after breakfast . I knew I would get eight hours , but it seemed worth it to me .”
While a student , he did landscaping , snow removal , and tool sharpening and after graduating , he continued his own business in his hometown of Swedesboro , N . J . “ I didn ’ t like working inside and didn ’ t like the precision required to be a machinist of being plus or minus 5,000th of an inch , which was the standard tolerance for students then .”
But he is glad he attended Williamson because it helped him grow a lot .
In June 2019 , he bought a small farm in Woodstown , N . J ., and lived there instead of in his campus home .
He is looking forward to operating his own business , Mr . Handyman , a franchise that does small residential jobs and larger commercial projects . “ My main business will be taking care of Honey Do lists , smaller jobs that major contractors consider too small . I expect work to be plentiful .” His main role will be hiring the “ techs ,” technicians who will do the work . His business will cover Gloucester and western Salem Counties .
Jackson ’ 03 Receives International Recognition As A Great Facility Manager
Corey Jackson 0W3 , vice president of operations , was a winner in the International Facility Management Association ’ s ( IFMA ) Forty Under 40 competition .
The competition was held in celebration of IFMA ’ s 40th anniversary to recognize 40 of the best and brightest facility managers from around the world who are under the age of 40 .
The 40 facility managers will be recognized in a virtual special event in Fort Worth , Texas , later this year .
Jackson said , “ I couldn ’ t be more excited to be part of this elite group of facility management professionals . Thank you to all the people who have taught me and guided me in my FM career and a special thanks to my wife and family for all your love and support . While my path was not traditional I am proud of my blue collar track , I feel it brings me great experience and makes me a better leader . I am humbled to be joining an elite group of global facilities professionals .
“ 2020 has been filled with sadness and frustration , but God has a plan . We don ’ t always know that plan or agree with it , but I have faith it is all for His glory . He has blessed me richly with a son and a daughter that doctors say were miracles and a wife that supports me . It is humbling to get this award and I look forward to what God has in store .” Jackson , a 2003 power plant technology graduate , has been working at Williamson since 2017 and is now vice president of operations . He oversees all facilities maintenance and is responsible for Williamson ’ s 50 + buildings , 224 acres , and over $ 24 million of construction projects , capital projects , dining operations , and security operations . He also is working with the committee that is developing the Campus Master Plan and is helping to plan future capital projects .
He and his wife , Sue , have a son , Nathan , 12 , and daughter , Evelyn , 2 . He is a deacon at Faith Community Church in Brookhaven .
Corey Jackson 0W3
Jim Steward 8W6 with his favorite piece of equipment .
Benefit Of Support Is Demonstrated In ‘ Impact Of Giving ’ Student Profiles
If you are a financial supporter of Williamson and wonder what impact your donations make in the lives of the young men attending the school , you can easily find out .
The lives of the students and the impact Williamson is playing in their lives are being demonstrated in a series of profiles of individual students that are available for your reading on Williamson ’ s website .
The articles , written by Julianne Theodoropulos , development associate , show a variety of circumstances in which students grew up and came to
Former Trustee Stahl ’ 56 Passes Away
Williamson and demonstrate how they are benefitting in a major way from their education .
To read these stories , go to Williamson ’ s website ( www . williamson . edu ), click on “ Giving ,” and then click on “ Impact of Giving ,” or go to : https :// www . williamson . edu / giving / impact-ofgiving /.
There are a number of profiles and each one will give you a great impression of the young men being educated at the school and make you glad you are a supporter .
Thank you for your support !
Trustee emeritus Robert L . Stahl 5W6 , who served on the board of trustees from 1993 until 2010 , died Oct . 23 .
President Michael Rounds said , “ Robert Stahl was a dedicated member of our board , sharing his vast knowledge of the painting industry . His dedication to helping our students receive an up-todate trade education was an inspiration to all who were familiar with his work . Our thoughts and prayers are with his family .”
Board Chairman William Bonenberger 7W9 said , “ Bob Stahl was a man who truly loved Williamson ! He served faithfully and energetically on the board for 17 years . He always greeted you with a warm smile and was always ready to roll his sleeves up for Williamson , as well as many other worthy causes he supported . We appreciate everything he did for Williamson and he will certainly be missed !”
At the time of his retirement from the board , Mr . Stahl said : “ I am honored to have been on the board at an exciting time when Williamson improved its physical plant and its programs . The changes in the school have been tremendous . It was wonderful to have served with so many great men . The trustees are very dedicated to Williamson and work very hard to support it . It was a pleasure to work with three presidents and their wives . Each president has been great in his own way and the wives have also been very dedicated to Williamson .”
Mr . Stahl ran his own painting and contracting business in Media , Robert L . Stahl Decorating , from 1960 until 2002 when he retired .
Earlier , he was a project leader for Industrial Model Co . and shop foreman for Wilson Cannon Co .
In retirement , he served on several boards , including at the Sleighton School . He was very involved in the Media Rotary Club and Knights of Paoli .
Trustee Emeritus Robert Stahl 5W6