Submitted by: Sylvia Hunolt, Ottumwa, Iowa
1. When did you work at Indian Hills?
1976 to 2013
2. In what departments did you work and what jobs did you have?
Cook School/Culinary Arts &/or Food Service. Our department started out as the Cook School, later the name changed to Food Service, then changed to Culinary Arts & as we grew into two departments, we had both Culinary Arts (education) and Food Service (service). Worked as secretary/cashier. I might have had the same title, but my job description changed many times over the years. Never a dull moment or two days alike. Started out in the days with a typewriter & working 5 days a week, moving onto using a computer & a 4 day work week.
3. What are the names of some of your supervisors and co-workers?
Max Owens, Tom Shepard, Mary Kivlahan, Gordon Rader. Co-works Chet Tokheim, Alan Grue, Robert Chaffee, Lisa Larson, Leonard Bailey, Mark Fisher, Carol Staggs, Judy Skinner, Cathi Underwood, Stacy Doree, Allan Shelley, Pam Brown, & Lisa Zook,
4. Identify or describe some unique or funny (printable) stories that occurred during your time at Indian Hills.
I began working in an office that had snow blow in under the door in the winter time on really windy days. The weather on the airport campus could be a little brisk in the winter time. I remember the year our Bakery instructor made Christmas cookie ornaments for one of the White House Christmas trees. Several years we had baby goslings born in the enclosed courtyard in the Administration building. It was interesting coercing them out of the building when they were old enough to leave by walking them out the hallway. The mother geese were not happy to have humans get to close to their babies. But we always had staff willing to risk the wrath of an angry goose.
5. What are some good memories that you have of working at the college?
I enjoyed working with so many dedicated, hardworking, student oriented Indian Hills employees. After moving to the Ottumwa campus, we watched the campus grow with one new building after the next. I think the main building was the only building on campus when we moved onto the Ottumwa Campus. With the growth of facilities came student growth and many new programs. I enjoyed getting to meet & know so many students.
6. What are your hopes for the future for Indian Hills?
Indian Hills is definitely a life changing place. I hope Indian Hills continues to change to meet the needs of our students and their employers, and continue to be a leader in education and in our community.