Set-up man: Campus Operations foreman receives DBT’s MVP Award at Mississippi College
Roe Grubbs, executive director of operations in the Department of Facility and Plant Management at Mississippi College, has so much confidence in his set-up foreman that he believes Alfred Daniels can move buildings all by himself.
“I could say, ‘We need you to move the Latimer House,’” Grubbs said, “and Alfred will say, ‘Where do you want it? We’ll put it out on the Quad. Then we’ll bring it back tomorrow.’”
It’s an exaggeration, of course – but not a large one. During his nearly two decades of service to MC, the Raymond native and Clinton resident has quietly built a reputation for dependability and capability.
Katrina Pace, chief executive officer of the MC Foundation, marveled at Daniels’ work while helping transform the basketball court in the A.E. Wood Coliseum into a first-class setting for the MC Celebration Gala in September.
It’s one of many reasons why MC President Blake Thompson presented Daniels with his highly coveted DBT’s MVP Award for October following a breakfast at the Latimer House in appreciation of the MC staff who played an instrumental role in making the Celebration Gala a success.
“He’s been behind the scenes,” Grubbs said. “You don’t always see him, but if it weren’t for Alfred, we wouldn’t be able to have these events that are important for recruiting and retaining students.
“I don’t have to worry about Alfred. We get the event plans and he takes care of everything from moving offices to moving students to setting up events. He helps make MC what it is: a family-oriented Christian university.”
The DBT’s MVP Award recognizes MC staff who go “above and beyond” for MC students, faculty and their fellow staff members. As the monthly winner, Daniels received a T-shirt, a parking spot of his choosing on campus for a month, a $50 gift card, a print of internationally celebrated artist Samuel M. Gore, and the right to display a bobblehead of Thompson at his workspace.
Daniels said the award presentation took him by surprise.
“It means a lot to me,” he said. “I never expected to receive it. I respect it.”
He said his work ethic comes from a simple mantra.
“If I’m going to do a job, I might as well do it right.”
Daniels delights in setting up for big events on campus and “making sure everything is just right.” He followed a friend to MC when the University needed someone to help set up for a large event and hasn’t looked back.
What has kept him coming back to Mississippi College for the better part of 20 years?
“I love being around the people,” he said.
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