Photo by Christina VanHorn,
UNH Human Resources

Getting out of bed each day to go to a job you love and knowing you make a difference is something we all strive for, but can be an elusive goal for many. Dave Giberson has reached that goal, and it shows on his face and in his voice when you talk to him about his role in the Department of Housing at the University of New Hampshire.

Seven years ago, Dave made the decision to leave his employer, Prime Tanning, of 22 years before the next round of layoffs. His wife, Kathy Giberson, had already been working at UNH for 12 years at the time and encouraged him to apply for a position at the University because she enjoyed it so much. Dave took her advice and started out in the Central Receiving stockroom making deliveries to core campus, moved on to Mail Services as a mail carrier, then finally to Housing as a maintenance service worker. For the past five and a half years Dave has been the Maintenance "go-to guy" at Forest Park Apartments. (While I was interviewing Dave, a student approached us and asked him if he could fix the broken knob to her apartment's screen door).

Forest Park Apartments at UNH provides campus housing for newly appointed faculty members, married students, and students with dependent children. The community at Forest Park is a very diverse community with students and faculty members from all over the world. Dave truly appreciates the diversity of the residents of Forest Park and it is the opportunity to support and befriend students and faculty from all over the world that he most enjoys. His love of problem solving and fixing things in the 154 (until just recently) apartment complex so that the students and faculty could focus on their education and not worry about those issues is very satisfying for Dave. On any given day, Dave can be found mowing, removing snow, repairing a faulty heater, replacing a refrigerator, painting, light carpentry, fixing a leaking pipe, or repairing a child's bike! He is truly the Dave of all trades!

He really enjoys seeing the students move in and raise their families while going to school and then wishing them well when they have achieved their educational goal and it is time for them to move on to the next phase of their lives. It has proven to be an emotional experience for many residents, because not only has UNH been their school for the past 4 or 5 years, but also their home where they have watched their children play and made lifelong friends, including Dave!

The most emotional aspect for Dave and the apartment complex residents has been the recent change these past few weeks as a section of the Forest Park apartments have been torn down to make way for three new brick dormitories. The woodies, as they were known, were originally constructed in the early 1960's and not meant to be long term housing at UNH. The first new brick dormitory is scheduled to be ready to open in the summer of 2007, and Dave will have a front row seat for the entire construction process. Though it was past time for the woodies to go, change can be an adjustment. One of the biggest changes was the moving of the child care center from the Forest Park area over to the Woodside Apartments complex. Dave enjoyed seeing the kids at play each day, and enjoyed being greeted by over 20 small children each time he would pass by the daycare. His equipment storage area has been moved to the Woodside Apartments area as well, due to the construction, so he will still get to stop by the daycare from time to time and say "HI"!

When asked who or what at UNH has had a positive impact on him Dave replied "observing the dedication of our students at UNH, especially the physically challenged or handicapped students who are able to persevere and obtain a college career. Observing this allows me to realize my own potential and that no matter what, there are always opportunities available."

When Dave is not busy repairing or fixing the homes of our students in Forest Park, his own home, or his daughter's home, he likes to spend his free time camping, hunting, hiking and fishing.