Jim Keju feels that having a “golden” personality means being friendly, kind, and patient with others. That's what he aims for each day when he comes to work for University Housing.

Keju, a custodial worker in Bean Hall, makes sure the halls are tidy, bathrooms clean and custodial closets filled. He also emanates a passionate, kind persona, allowing him to develop relationships with a variety of students in the halls – relationships that he says are vital to his success and enjoyment of the job.

“I work around some great students," Keju said. "They are so friendly and kind. Sometimes, when I’ve been gone for a few days, they’ll notice and curiously ask where I’ve been. That means a lot to me.”

It’s not just his interactions with students that Keju believes are important; it’s his motivation to exceed expectations. Although it’s not required of him, Keju looks for every opportunity he can to clean areas to which he is not assigned.

Whenever he sees trash on the ground outside, he picks it up. No questions asked.

“It’s about doing more than what’s asked of you,” he said, “To be a good worker, that is very important.”

Keju believes that a lot of his strong character derives from his upbringing on the Marshall Islands. People there are not afraid to speak with strangers; whether they run in to each other on the streets or in a building hallway, a wave and a “hello” are always expected.

Keju hopes to bring that kind of personable character to the UO through his hard work and friendly demeanor.

“I always make it a goal of mine to speak to as many people as I can,” Keju said. “I like to converse, get to know others and learn about their stories. In the residence halls, where students come from all over the world, I get to do that … my job isn’t only about cleaning. It’s about being friendly and personable.”

Keju will soon be leaving the UO and moving south to be with his family.

- by Katherine Marrone, University Housing