Hidden from plain view just west of the Huntsman Center, is a building that houses the past, the present and the future of our campus, and the people who dedicate their careers to the integrity and appearance of our university.
Randy Turpin is one of these people. After 41 years of service to our campus community, he is retiring.
“I keep threatening to shred his retirement approval so he has to stay,” said Debbie Carlson, Turpin’s administrative assistant. Carlson has worked with Turpin for 27 years and she, like much of his staff, is sad to see him go.
Turpin is the associate vice president for the U’s facilities management. His staff of more than 500 is responsible for the planning, design and construction, plant operations and public safety on campus. He has been directly involved in some the greatest campus construction projects to date including: Rice-Eccles Stadium, the hospital expansion, the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Skaggs Biology building, student housing and the George S. Eccles 2002 Legacy Bridge to name a few.
Turpin graduated from the U with a degree in business management. As a senior, Turpin attended a career fair looking for a job. He found that most companies were looking for graduates with two or more years experience, something he didn’t have. So he took a job with plant operations on campus and did accounting.
“They just kept giving me more responsibility and more money. Eventually, I worked my way into managerial positions and here I am 41 years later,” he said with a smile.
He has loved every minute of it.
Working with issues that directly affect students’ lives and address students’ concerns is one of his favorite parts of his job.
However, his position in the administrative chain of command limits his contact with students. He feels it’s best that way, because the people who work for him can deal better directly with students’ concerns.
Yet Turpin does work with students on occasion.
“The contact that I have had with ASUU, special projects teams or student body officers has been wonderful. Those kids are so bright, and all of our interactions have always been positive,” he said.
To maintain his connection with students, Turpin attends commencement ceremonies every year. “There is nothing I enjoy more than seeing the students walk across the stage with huge smiles on their faces,” Turpin said. He goes for the students, their families and friends.
“I love knowing that what we do is for them,” he said.
Of his many projects, Turpin has one that he is most proud of. “The project that really tugs at my heartstrings is the student housing project because it has a direct and positive effect on the students’ lives. I am proud of our team for completing the project in the time they had,” he said pointing to a photograph hanging in his office of the Fort Douglas student housing. “That and the bridge are beautiful icons for our campus,” he said. “Not only is the bridge beautiful, it does what we were most concerned about?getting the students across the road safely.”
Turpin says his department’s efforts mirror the U community’s concerns.
For instance, “Our plant operations team has been dealing with environmental concerns even before it was the ‘in thing’ to do,” Turpin said. The Utah State Cooperative Extension Service the U’s grounds department for its reduced water use in 1997.
Most recently, an energy conservation project was completed in all campus buildings. Everything from light fixtures to fan motors have been retrofitted with more energy- efficient parts.
Campus growth is another issue that Turpin and his team plan for. The Health Sciences Center is one of the fastest growing areas on campus and building space is running out. Plans are in place to gradually expand the campus into Research Park. Some buildings are already being converted to classrooms.
Arnold Combe, vice president for Administrative Services, has worked with Turpin for 17 years. “There is no one in the country working in higher education facilities management that knows their job better than Randy,” he said. “On top of that, he has touched the lives of more people on campus than anyone.”
As for the future of our campus without him, Turpin says that “it is such a beautiful place already.” He hopes that our campus continues to mature and grow in the best interests of the students. “One thing I would hope for is to have the university’s state funding levels restored.” He says that the biggest challenge his successor will face is dealing with budget cuts that have been continuous for about 14 years. “It is becoming increasingly difficult for our department to prioritize where to use our funding,” he said. He says the tight budget restrains his department from thinking past keeping the lights on and the classrooms heated.
The university has become an integral part of his life in more ways than one. “My wife Susan, who is now retired, worked for the university for 32 years. This is where we met,” he said. “I was even able to convince one of my children that this university is the best place to be,” he laughs. His daughter graduated with a nursing degree.
He says that the university is such an integral part of his life that he isn’t sure what it will feel like once it is gone. “I might be a little lost at first,” he laughs, “but I have a lot of work to do at home.” Turpin and his family live in Heber City, where he plans on pursuing his favorite hobby. “I restore old cars, and I have a new shop up there waiting for me.” The screen saver on his office computer flashes a picture of a red roadster, as if to remind him of cars at home, waiting for him.
Though Turpin’s list of accomplishments at the U is long, his greatest is the leadership and direction he gives to his staff, according to Carlson, his assistant. “He has tremendous people and leadership skills. He is fair and honest. He never hesitates to give credit where credit is due,” she said, “But most of all he loves this university, the campus and the students. They hold a very special place in his heart.”
In May, he and his wife plan to attend graduation ceremonies as they have every year for 30 years. He is certain they’ll be there for the next 30.
A reception in Turpin’s honor will be held June 26 in the Rice- Eccles Stadium tower. The entire campus is invited, and encouraged, to attend.