One of the most familiar faces to longtimers on campus may be that of Carlos Donaldson, mail supervisor II. For 38 years, Donaldson has been making sure that UI faculty and staff members and students get their campus mail.
When he started in 1962, he walked much of the campus with a mail bag on his back, and that’s how he got to know so many people in university offices. When he advanced to supervisor, he still tried to get out of the office as much as possible to see and visit with those familiar faces. But come Dec. 30, all that will end with his retirement. He’s 65, and he says it’s time.
How do you think you’ll feel on your last day on the job?
Great. I didn’t think I was going to be as happy as I am. People say ‘You’ve always been happy.’ I say, this time I’m even happier. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m ecstatic. I just can’t say enough. But I’m going to miss the campus.
You earned a UI degree while working here, right?
I started working here in ’62 and I started taking classes in 1969. I graduated in 1979 in urban planning. It took me one semester less than 10 years, taking one or two courses per semester.
I did it more or less as an incentive for the kids. I have three children. I was trying to put something into their minds — if Dad can do it, you can.
Why did you stay in mail services after getting your degree?
Because I’ve enjoyed what I’ve done. When I got my degree, I was upgraded to supervisor. And I saw a possibility of moving up. But I enjoyed my job. I enjoyed being a mail carrier and as a supervisor, it just mushroomed. It gave me the satisfaction of talking to my employees and saying, ‘I moved up, you can do the same thing.’
What was it like carrying mail around campus when you first started?
We all had walking routes. The campus was a little more compact than it is now. We had bags and carried the mail on our backs. Then as the campus began to expand and grow we got Cushman scooters. Then we outgrew those and we got little Jeeps, and then we went to the minivans, which we have now.
You’re a loyal fan of the UI football team, aren’t you?
Oh, yes. Always. I’ve gotten involved with women’s basketball too. My daughter at one time would get tickets through her work and we’d go. As for men’s basketball, I don’t get season tickets, but I still go to a lot of those games. I know a lot of those kids too.
As for football, I sat there when we were doing nothing during the Moeller years, but I’m a fan and I still go, every year. Season tickets. I haven’t gone to some of the away games, but next year I plan to go to some of those because I won’t have any restrictions. If I go and don’t make it back on Monday, who cares?
I’m real pleased and proud of this year’s team. And I’m also proud that the seniors that are on that team get to go out like this. They’ve really played their hearts out and they deserve it.
What are you going to do when you retire?
Enjoy more.
My wife and I travel a lot and we’ll do a lot more of that. And I have two grandsons, 12 and 5, so I’ll spend a lot more time with them. I enjoy them, we’re very close. They’re my heart.
And I’m an outdoors person. I do a lot of gardening with flowers around my house. And I’ve had a garden at Orchard Downs. Any time I can get outside I’m there and that’s where I’ll spend most of my time.
I’ve heard people say you’ll be missed around here.
I’m going to miss people. But after 38 years I know it’s time.
But there hasn’t been a day that I didn’t look forward to coming to work. I enjoyed it. The UI has been good to me. And I’ve made connections over the years with a lot of people.
