In this post we recognize Dean Mandigo, an Electrician in Facilities Services, for his 25 years of Service to Middlebury. Dean shares his career path here at the College, some details about his life outside of work, and some fond Middlebury memories. Read on to learn more about Midd from Dean’s point of view.
What did you do prior
to work at Middlebury College and where were you located?
I came to the college from Racette Electric in Pittsford VT
where I had begun my electrical career. Before that I had been a carpenter and
worked general construction. For a short stint while in college I was a
formalwear manager at McNeil and Reedy clothing in Rutland. I also worked for a
few years at Coca Cola Rutland as warehouse worker, truck driver/delivery
person and a salesmen/supervisor.
What job titles have
you held while working at Middlebury?
General Maintenance worker electrical, electrician B,
electrician A
Take us back to your
first year as an employee at the College. What were the most significant things
happening in your life outside of work then?
I had gotten married the previous year and was creating a
new life with Kathy my wife and her son Jared. I was also in the state
electrical apprenticeship program.
What are the most
significant things happening in your life outside of work now (that you’d like
to share)
My daughter Janelle, now a senior at UVM, is and has been an
inspiration to me. Social justice is a major part of her life and she has
helped me to understand where we are and why our thought process needs to
change in society.
Jared and his wife Amber have given us two grandsons.
I have also been a Salisbury firefighter for 16 years.
Being empty-nesters now, Kathy and I enjoy mini vacations
away, with family and our dog Maple.
Have your
interests/hobbies/athletic endeavors changed over the past 25 years? Have any
of these been influenced by your work at the College or due to your association
with others who work here?
One day a several years ago a coworker asked if I would join
him for a little exercise at the pool. We were both going thru some health
issues and I agreed to give it a try. Now we both swim regularly and are both
feeling better because of it.
What is your fondest
memory or experience that you’ve had while working at Middlebury?
There are two. The installation of the radio antenna in Mead
chapel spire with Chris Ayers. It was a challenge to run the service up thru
the belfry around the carillon bells and wires. And maintaining the lighting of
the cross country trail around the golf course. Those lights were removed many
years ago.
Many people change
jobs/careers multiple times in their working life. Something must have kept you
here for 25 years. Is it anything that you can put into words?
When I first came to the Electrical shop the college was
about to go through a major growth spurt. The Ethernet was just taking off,
life safety was jumping forward and the college was going to expand its
physical size over the next decade. It was the perfect place to grow, career
wise and family.
What are your plans
for the next 25 years?
My plan is to keep right on working. Maybe retire a little
early. Possibly get a small part time job, do some volunteering, travel/camping
while Kathy and I enjoy life.
Do you have a
favorite place on campus?
My favorite place would be in the top of Mead chapel looking
out of the doors in the lantern just below the spire. Even better on a windy
day and you can feel it sway!
Is there any person
on campus (or retiree, former employer) that mentored you, or you feel helped
you grow into your job, grow to enjoy your work and your time at the College?
There have been many people that have influenced me along
the way. To name a few, my brothers Dave and Dan, Ernie Racette(Racette
Electric). From Midd Art Thorne, Norm
Cushman, George McPhail, Dean Ouellette and Robert Preseau.