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I hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday. We'll see you in the new year.

Ford

• "Welcomes and Farewells" is the #1 favorite section of News & Views. Per a suggestion, we will look to include photos of all new hires.
• Suggestions for content included a greater focus on all the various units within OPP, announcements for upcoming events and retirement and benefit tips.
• All respondents indicated that their preferred place to read News & Views was on their computer, as opposed to their cell phone or tablet.
• The top responses for how often News & Views should be sent out was biweekly and once per month. We'll be pursuing biweekly publication.

• The Barash Award for Human Service
• The McKay Donkin Award
• The Award for Administrative Excellence
• The Staff Excellence Award
• The Support Staff Award
• The Dr. James Robinson Equal Opportunity Award

More than 25 years ago, Bing Smith's journey at Penn State was just beginning. In just a few weeks time, his journey at Penn State comes to a close. While many may be jealous of Smith as he heads into retirement, Smith will be the first to respond saying, "Don't wish your life away. Your time will come soon enough."

Smith began working at Penn State in 1989 in a wage/payroll position due to a work stoppage at his previous employer. Less than six months later, Smith was offered what he described as the best Christmas present he had ever received, a full-time position in OPP beginning on Jan. 2, 1990.  Smith started out in Custodial Services before moving to Landscaping in 1992. A year later he returned to Custodial Services as a supervisor and has been there ever since.

According to Smith, the job has changed a great deal through the years. "We used to go out and do more hands on stuff and more observing," said Smith. "With new technology, we now spend a lot of our time on the computer."

Even with the changes, the challenges have remained the same. "The biggest challenge was always trying to keep the customers happy," said Smith. "But the other challenge that comes to mind was dealing with snow. There was not only the challenge of getting here as an essential employee, but also making sure no one slips and falls."

One of Smith's most interesting memories on the job involves snow. "It was back in 1993 when we had that big blizzard. We had to shovel the stadium out and it was a 24/7 operation. We even brought in men from SCI Rockview to help. There were also so many unpaid volunteers, including fathers and sons who just came out to help."

Now, with just a few weeks remaining Smith is looking forward to what the future holds. Once his wife retires, the pair plans to travel. "We want to travel Route 66. That's going to be one of the first things we do. We also want to head back to Ft. Lauderdale to sit on the wave wall. We loved it down there when we visited." Other than that, Smith is looking forward to hunting, fishing, completing projects around the house and keeping active.

Smith is also looking forward to receiving his 25-year rocking chair. "When I started here I didn't know about the rocking chair," said Smith. "Once I saw one and saw how well built they are, I knew I wanted one."

However, Smith almost missed out on his rocking chair. Once he submitted his intent to retire effective Jan. 1, 2015, he received a call from Susan Rutan, Human Resources Manager, telling him he couldn't retire on Jan. 1. He asked why and learned his 25th year would not be in place until Jan. 2. "It was so nice of her to call me and tell me that. I'm going to remember that for a long time."

While Smith is looking forward to retirement, he acknowledged how thankful he is for his time at Penn State. "It's been a great place to work," said Smith. "There's been ups and downs, but you just go with the flow and make the best of everything."