After 41 Years of Service, Tom Shaffer Retires from Terra State
TAfter more than four decades of dedication to Terra State Community College, Maintenance Technician II Tom Shaffer is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of service, reliability, and care for the campus he has helped maintain since 1985.
A Navy veteran and proud Terra State alumnus, Shaffer joined the college in May 1985
and has
spent the last 41 years ensuring that Terra State's facilities remained safe, functional,
and
welcoming for students, employees, and visitors. He also earned an Associate of Applied
Science degree from Terra State, further strengthening his connection to the institution.
During his tenure, Shaffer witnessed tremendous growth and transformation across campus.
When he began his career, only a handful of buildings stood on campus, and much of
his work
involved traveling between the main campus and facilities across town. Over the years,
he
watched new buildings rise, programs expand, and generations of students pass through
Terra
State's doors.
Among his many memories, one stands out as both unforgettable and challenging.
In 1994, Shaffer received a late-night phone call from a security monitoring company
reporting a
water alarm in a campus computer lab. Initially skeptical that it might be a false
alarm, he asked
a custodian to check the situation. Moments later, the calls became more urgent.
"When I pulled up, the front windows were all fogged up and water was running out
the front
doors," Shaffer recalled. "The steps looked like a waterfall."
A broken water line had caused significant flooding throughout the building, creating
one of the
most memorable emergencies of his career. While stressful at the time, the incident
became
one of the stories that Shaffer still remembers decades later.
Beyond the emergencies and maintenance projects, it is the people and sense of community
that he remembers most fondly. Shaffer recalls the annual employee picnics held during
his
early years at the college, where faculty, staff, and their families gathered each
summer.
"It was a nice family atmosphere," he said.
That spirit of community remained constant throughout his career and is one of the
reasons he
stayed at Terra State for more than four decades.
As he enters retirement, Shaffer looks forward to staying active and enjoying a slower
pace,
though those who know him doubt he will stay still for long.
In recognition of his service to both the college and the nation, members of OAPSE
Local 217
recently purchased a new American flag to fly on campus in Tom's honor, celebrating
his
dedication as a Navy veteran and longtime member of Terra State.
Terra State Community College extends its sincere gratitude to Tom Shaffer for his
41 years of
dedicated service. His commitment, hard work, and countless contributions have helped
shape
the campus community for generations of students and employees.
We thank Tom for his service to both his country and Terra State Community College
and wish
him a happy and well-deserved retirement.