At Lakeland University, one does not always notice the team of individuals who keep everything clean and in good condition from classrooms to dorm rooms and common areas. The custodial staff, made up of full-time employees and student workers work daily behind the scenes to maintain a safe, functional and welcoming campus environment. While their work is often invisible when done well, it is essential to nearly every part of campus life.
For Ardon Roethel Jr., the day begins long before most people wake up. “I am up at 2:30 in the morning, at Lakeland by 3:30 or 3:45,” he said. His work includes cleaning classrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, and entrances. In the winter, he also shovels snow and spreads salt on walkways to help keep campus safe and accessible during harsh weather conditions.
His workday is “hectic,” and he often feels like there is “work with no end.” Even so, he has been with Lakeland for nearly eight years and has deep ties to the university community. “Our local churches helped Lakeland when it was Mission House, Lakeland College and now a university,” he said. He also has a family connection to a nearby dairy farm, adding to his long-standing connection to the surrounding area.
While the job is demanding, Ardon emphasizes its importance. “Our jobs are vital to the health of our school community. We are dedicated, educated people and we deserve respect and proper pay like other departments,” he said.
Beth Clark has been serving the Lakeland community for more than two decades. “I have been a custodian and housekeeper for 29 years, 21 with Lakeland,” she shared. Her day begins at 5:15 a.m. as she prepares her cart and heads into the residence halls to clean bathrooms, kitchens lounges and other shared living spaces.
She explained that each day brings new challenges depending on student activity and building usage. “Sometimes it is difficult to get into the men’s bathroom or to clean the kitchens when they are busy.” Despite these challenges, she finds meaning in her relationships with students and the environment she helps maintain. “The most rewarding part is the students themselves. I enjoy being around them and helping them however I can. I hope that I am helping to make a place that feels like home.”
The custodial and grounds team also includes Sue Ann Kohlmann, Anne Beauchamp, Karen Heili, Lori Lauersdorf, LuAnn Lawonn, Patrick Nemecek, Wendy Scheibl and Ric Trout. Together, they coordinate daily cleaning, maintenance and campus upkeep to ensure that classrooms are ready for instruction residence halls are livable and shared spaces remain welcoming for all members of the university community.
Student workers, including Jalah Wilson, Jatron Bevly and Benjamin Garcia, support the custodial staff by assisting with daily cleaning tasks, maintenance support, and general campus upkeep, helping ensure that operations run efficiently across campus.
The custodial staff work continuously behind the scenes to ensure every classroom is ready, every hallway is safe and every shared space is welcoming. Their work often goes unnoticed, but its impact is felt throughout campus every day by students, faculty, and visitors alike.
The Lakeland University experience is more than what happens in the classroom. It is also about the people who work behind the scenes to make sure every space is clean, safe and welcoming. The dedication of the custodial staff is what keeps the university running. They are the backbone of Lakeland University.