Housekeeper Somes cleans up Galvin's act

by: jamie booher
Guest Writer

Cleaning up after others is not exactly the ideal job. That, however, is what Katie Somes does for a living; she cleans up after St. Ambrose students’ everyday messes in Galvin Fine Arts Center.

Not only does Somes clean with a smile, she generally does so with an accompanying song and dance.

Somes, a member of St. Ambrose University's housekeeping staff has a job not many of us envy.

Her hours are tough; she arrives at five o’clock each morning and leaves at one o’clock in the afternoon. Once a member of the four-person staff at the Rogalski Center, Somes is now half of the two-person crew that is responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of Galvin Fine Arts Center.

Since August 15, 2005 when Somes first transferred to Galvin, the improvements have been astounding.

"Galvin has changed for the better," said Cory Johnson, SAU theater professor. "You can see the difference. It is nice to have someone who is proactive rather than reactive and who can come at the position with a fresh vantage point."

Johnson is not the only one who has noticed the changes.

Barb Orfitelli, Box Office Manage at Galvin, is also impressed by the improvements.

She says that everyday Somes concentrates heavily on a different part of the building. The stains are disappearing from the lobby carpet and overall the building looks more presentable. Being presentable is something that Somes strives for.

"The first thing I do every day is clean the lobby," Somes said. "It is the first thing most people see when entering the building and the first impression they receive. I also always try to have all the music and art wing classrooms and hallways cleaned before any of the students arrive."

There is no place in Galvin that Somes has not attempted to improve, including the theater scene shop.

"In her first couple of weeks, she even tried to clean the shop, God love her, which is a full-time job in itself," said Kristofer Eitrheim, chair of the theater department.

"It is always nice to work with nice people," said Somes, "and they really are always appreciative and overwhelmed at anything that I do."

It is hard not to appreciate not only the newly cleaned atmosphere, but also the good humor Somes brings to the job. Even the students are noticing the change in the building and the new face walking around.

Kristy Heithoff, SAU junior said, "Katie is really friendly. Every time I see her I always say ‘hi’ and talk for a bit."

Although students may know the name and face of Somes, they could never guess her secret talent.

"When I was at the Rogalski Center, there would sometimes be a stage set-up. I used to entertain them with a little song and dance," Somes said. "‘I Want You To Want Me’ is my favorite, but don’t tell anybody."

One thing Somes is sure of in her job, "most people won’t notice when it’s clean, but people will notice when it’s dirty.