Lord of the ring

Tim Young with the Weldon Law Grad Ring. (Nick Pearce Photo)

Tim Young doesn’t normally wear a suit and tie to work but he had good reason to get spiffy at the Weldon Law Building last Friday.

The graduating class presented him with the Weldon Law Grad Ring, awarded each year to a faculty or staff member who makes a major difference in the daily lives of students while they’re on campus. It’s the second such honour for Mr. Young, a custodian who has been keeping the Weldon spotless over the past six years.

Making him feel like a “working-class hero” speaks volumes about the quality of Dalhousie’s law students, he told Dalnews. For their part, the students appreciate his chipper outlook and droll sense of humour, along with the pride he takes in his workmanship.

“When you think of how many hours are spent in this building by students, it makes a difference when it’s in such good shape,” said graduating student Katie Ives, from Antigonish. She and classmate Melissa MacAdam presented the ring during an awards reception hosted by Dean Phillip Saunders in the atrium.

“Tim’s always working hard to make sure law students have everything they need and that everything is in its place. We really appreciate all the hard work he does,” Ms. Ives added.  
 
Proudly wearing his grad ring from the Class of 2006, Mr. Young said he plans to give the new one to his wife: “Hopefully it’ll fit her. Isn’t that romantic of me?”

He works from 3 p.m. to midnight most days, so he sees how intensely the students must study to get through a law degree. He tries to lighten their mood by cracking jokes or talking about the weather.

“I tell them not to stress out, to take it easy … I’m a bit of a five-and-dime philosopher, I guess. That’s not my job, but why not? My hands and my mouth can move at the same time!”
 
Working with Team Violet in Dal’s Department of Facilities Management is the best job he’s had in more than 35 years in the custodial business.

“I can’t say enough about the faculty here, the support staff and the students. There’s no elitism here at all,” he said.

And the secret to his success with students: “Never underestimate the power of a positive attitude.”