When hundreds of students pour into Butler-Carlton Civil Engineering Hall for their first classes at 8 a.m., Carol Atwell has the space ready for them. Atwell, a custodian at S&T, starts her workday at 4 a.m.

“I’m a morning person,” she says. “I am an avid cleaner, and I love cleaning. I get most of my deep cleaning done before 8.”

Atwell is responsible for the second floor of Butler-Carlton and the building’s iconic steps that run from the lobby to the third floor. In addition to four classrooms, her floor includes laboratories and several offices.

Like Atwell, most custodial services staff members are assigned to a building or a section of a building. The custodial services department also includes “floaters” who help where needed.

Atwell joined S&T as a floater in June 2018 and then received her assignment for Butler-Carlton in October.

“This is my floor,” she says proudly. “Everyone here is very nice and appreciative of how I clean. It’s a fun way for me to get to know students and other people because everyone stops to say ‘hello.’”

Carol at a Glance

Hometown: Berkley, Missouri

Hobbies: Sewing, baking, cleaning

Favorite food: Beef stroganoff

Family: Husband, Theodore Atwell, who is a police officer for University Police, four children and 10 grandchildren

Advice to other S&T employees: “Be happy every day. Do your job as best you can. Always keep a smile on your face.”

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