As students eat Chic-Fil-A in the Varsity, check their mail atthe post office or hang out in the Commons with their friends, theymight hear loud whistling over the rumble of a powerful vacuum.
If students turn toward the shrill sound, chances are,they’ll see Frank Perry.
Frank, as everyone calls him, is a housekeeper in Hughes-Trigg.After 18 years at SMU, he still enjoys his daily routine ofinspecting every corner of the student center.
“I just love my job,” Perry said. “I’min a great mood when I’m here. I love the people who workhere, and I love talking with the kids.”
Although cleaning up the student center can be a tiring task,Perry said things as a housekeeper aren’t necessarily as theyseem. He gets ample time to enjoy benefits.
“Hey man, it’s not all tough work. Do you realizehow many freebies you get doing this job? I eat so much free pizza.Who could complain?”
Whether he’s working or collecting goodies, he’salways roaming the building in his blue slacks with a tucked inshort-sleeved shirt bearing his name on a white patch in tall,cursive letters.
With his slight build, rounded prescription glasses and cleanlyshaven head, Frank stays light about his physical appearance.
“Man, it got to the point where Rogaine was outta thequestion. I figured I’d keep it as short as possible,”Perry said.
As for the glasses, Perry was diagnosed years ago withnearsightedness, and he is legally blind. Although doctors haveconsidered him handicapped because of his eyesight, Perry discountsthat thought.
“I don’t buy it because I can do anything I put mymind to,” he said.
That same positive mentality has gained him recognition fromAramark.
In addition to being honored for perfect attendance for the2002-2003 school year, Perry was promoted to chairman of the safetycommittee for Aramark two weeks ago. They also gave him theEmployee of the Year award for 2003.
“It was all such a huge honor. I think it’s just adream, so I wait to wake up, but it’s real, “Perrysaid. “I AM chairman.”
Much of Frank’s success can be attributed to his”good guy” attitude. A deacon at the Dixon StreetBaptist church in Dallas, Perry said that he lives by The GoldenRule.
“I’ll treat others as I would want to be treated.… That’s my motivation. That’s pretty much whatmakes me tick.”
Perry’s cheerful disposition and work ethic has also madehim a winner with the staff and students in Hughes-Trigg.
“Frank is always willing to assist, and he does itgraciously. He’s got such a great tone, he’s welcomingto people, and takes great pride in what he does,” said TimMoore, the student center’s director. “We know we cancount on Frank, and we’re glad he’s part of our staffbecause he means a lot to Hughes-Trigg.”
Senior cinema and television major Andrew Conway said, “Hetakes a job that doesn’t seem that important and makessomething positive out of it. Hughes-Trigg couldn’t runwithout people like him.”
Perry grew up in Dallas and was raised by his mother after hisparents divorced. Perry and his eight siblings — he has fourbrothers and four sisters — stirred up trouble around hishouse.
“I wasn’t a real bad kid or anything, but I wouldget whippings for things my brothers and sisters did. In the longrun, it wasn’t all bad though because I know all those hardtimes made me into the person I am today,” he said.
Decades later, Frank still enjoys the company of hisrelatives.
“I spend a lot of quality time with my baby brother.It’s almost 50 years later and we are still close. …We live within four blocks of each other, but we don’t haveto be together all the time. It’s like we’re so close,but yet, so far.”
Most of Frank’s time is consumed by either work or family,but he also enjoys “big kid” activities.
He also likes going to the movies, going out to dinner or justsleeping in.
Frank checks his watch, clasps his hands and looks away.
“Speaking of free time, I think I’m about out of it.I guess it’s about time for me to get back to this workthing.”
