blue notes [ on the spot ]
Chambers of Secrets
Facility Services staff cut, code, and archive keys for a variety of campus doors—from the president’s office to utility closets.
Mark Chambers is the man with all the keys—and all the access to Drake’s buildings and grounds. Since coming to Drake in the early-1980s, this multi-talented architecture aficionado has come to know Drake’s campus better than just about anyone. He first worked as chief electrician before becoming Drake’s HVAC and Electrical Department manager, then operations manager. In his current role as director of facility services, Chambers supervises everything from grounds care to maintenance to new construction and renovation to the occasional dragon taming. Jessin Joseph, Class of 2017: In your position, do you have a say when it comes to remodeling, expanding, or constructing new buildings? If so, which project did you enjoy working on the most? I make recommendations on project design, engineering, and details, and I work closely with architects and engineers throughout the design and construction process. While so many projects have been critical to the development of Drake and the Drake community, I think the “underdog” projects have meant the most to me, simply because they needed more support. Harvey Ingham, my current favorite project, has been undergoing renovations since the early-1990s and is scheduled to finally be completed this summer.
Liz Woyna, jo ’76: Has the bell’s clapper been found? No, and in the past I have spent some quality time in that bell tower doing roofing, carpentry, and masonry repairs. I also
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used to decorate the bell tower with holiday lighting for the season. I think the clapper became a souvenir for a past student.
Sarah Beth Coleman, Class of 2017: We all know Old Main is, well, old. Are there rules and guidelines that Drake has to follow to keep older and historically important buildings on campus up to snuff? Drake has a great deal of mature architecture that needs regular maintenance. We try to keep restoration to a minimum unless a major project is involved and architects and the administration have agreed to change the structure, such as the renovation of Cole Hall for Admissions. Currently, we do have structures that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but not at the level that prevents us from controlling their redesign, renovation, or demise, if appropriate.
Oliver Housman, jo’12: Did you tame the dragon that lives under Helmick Commons? The “dragon” is actually the central steam distribution system buried throughout campus. On occasion there will be a minor leak in a manhole, and depending on atmospheric conditions, steam can be seen. This is also, and more frequently, caused by ground water seeping into manholes, which is turned to steam and water vapor. The dragon is currently caged but always trying to get free!