A staff member found herself in a tricky situation after hours one cold night in December 2024. She had inadvertently locked herself out of her office in the Humphreys Building on the Ithaca campus. Her car keys, office keys and coat were inaccessible. She searched the building for help, but her coworkers had all gone home – except for Dakota Roberts.

Roberts was bagging garbage in the building’s basement as part of his work as a custodian with the Building Care Department. The staff member found him and asked for help. He first alerted security to make sure she was an employee, then unlocked her office.

Credit: Jason Koski/Cornell University

“She was really happy. She seemed at ease then, because she wanted to go home,” said Roberts, who has worked in 12 buildings across the Ithaca campus, from Mann Library to Myron Taylor Hall. “I like to help people.”

Roberts was one of six Building Care professionals recognized for excellence and dedication at the 2025 Bartels Awards for Custodial Service ceremony and luncheon in Bartels Hall. Each award comes with a $1,400 honorarium.

“He deserves that award 1 million percent,” said Patty Fluck, a custodian who works with Roberts and attended the event. “I’m happy for him.”

Now in their 19th year, the awards honor the outstanding and often unsung work of the roughly 450 employees in the Building Care Department, part of Facilities and Campus Services. The department keeps the university running with daily cleaning and disinfection, trash and recycling removal, quick responses to flooding and other emergencies, and event preparation and cleanup.

“Time and time again, you rise to the occasion,” said Steve Devlen, director of Building Care. “Curve balls get thrown at us, specialized cleanups, floods. All kinds of things come our way that are predictable and unpredictable, but we always rise to the occasion. I just couldn’t be more proud of you.”’

Credit: Jason Koski/Cornell University

Roberts was honored for his reliability, strong sense of teamwork and professionalism, said Cindy Lockwood, associate director for Building Care, who presented the award.

Other awardees are:

• Sue Ferguson, who has been a member of the Building Care team for 35 years. “This individual absolutely epitomizes the qualities of the Bartels Award and consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication to custodial excellence,” Lockwood said as she presented the certificate.
• Ryan Hayes, a five-year employee in Building Care, is a great example of hard work, dedication, dependable and always striving for improvement, said Brenda Conklin, associate director for Building Care. “He not only meets but exceeds the criteria for this award in every way. He’s consistently positive, always approachable, friendly and willing to assist others.”
• Ginger Kelsey has worked with Building Care for nearly five years. She has excellent communication skills, a strong work ethic and creates a welcoming community for students, staff and faculty, Conklin said. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving that embodies excellence every day,” Conklin read from a nomination letter.
• Crystal Craig, a four-year Building Care employee, has perfect attendance, a positive attitude and takes pride in her work. Reading from a nomination letter, Hazel Hall, associate director for Building Care, said, “She can be counted on to help when something is needed, going above and beyond for everyone. She is a true custodian and steward of the facility.”
• Milkica Radoja, the winner of the George Peter Award for Dedicated Service in 2015, has worked as a custodian for 24 years. “I’ve come to see her as one of the most dedicated and passionate professionals I know. Her commitment to maintaining a safe and clean environment is unmatched,” Hall read from a nomination from Radoja’s manager.

The program also included remarks from Rick Burgess, vice president for facilities and campus services, and Lisa James, associate vice president of facilities management.

Phil Bartels ’71 and his wife, Susan, established the awards in 2006. The Bartels were unable to attend the Dec. 10 event. But Phil Bartels spoke the night before, at a dinner at the Statler Hotel honoring second- and third-shift employees, and thanked the staff for their commitment and excellence.

Wendy Turner, administrative coordinator for Building Care, announced the Bartels Scholarship winners. Five employees were each awarded a $5,000 Bartels scholarship, helping them to further their education.

• Kathy Cole is earning a bachelor’s degree in health care administration;
• William Htoo earned a commercial driver’s license, which gives him the ability to drive large commercial vehicles such as school buses and delivery trucks;
• Jennica Jolles is earning a bachelor’s degree in human services with a concentration in child and family services;
• Damian Severson is earning a certification in welding technology; and
• Katrina Spencer is working toward an associate’s degree in human services, with a goal of earning master’s degree in social work and a certified mental health counselor.

Fluck, who will celebrate 11 years as a custodian in January 2026, said the event offers the chance to catch up with coworkers on different shifts.

“And it makes you feel pretty good,” she said. “Seeing these people get the awards, I know we’re appreciated.”