Eppie Jaramillo has quietly watched UNM grow during the past 33 years as he moved from a janitor working a night shift to a supervisor in the Physical Plant Department.
Jaramillo, an Albuquerque native, began working at UNM April 23, 1969 after serving in the military. A friend set him up with an interview and he has been here ever since.
"I came in on April 22, and the strange thing was, I came in and applied, did an interview, took a physical, did another interview, and they wanted me to start immediately that same day," he said. "I told them I couldn't because I had already been there the whole day, so I started the next day."
Jaramillo has worked his way up from custodian, to lead custodian, to supervisor, all at UNM's Physical Plant. He supervised the west section custodial unit first, then moved to the north unit. He recently moved back to the west unit when it reopened.
In 1996, Jaramillo earned the Gerald W. May Staff Recognition Award, which is named after the former UNM president, and is the highest honor bestowed upon University staff.
He said one of his strengths as a supervisor is his ability to get along with his coworkers.
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Julia Lasky, one of the custodians under Jaramillo's supervision, agreed.
"Whenever the custodians need something, he's always there," he said. "He's a really nice person, but he keeps his department in line."
Jaramillo said the best thing about working at UNM for so many years is that it allows him to raise his children. He has two daughters, Judy Duarte and Sandra Jaramillo, and one son, Michael.
"It is a steady job," he said. "Although the pay isn't the best, it was enough for me to raise my kids and the benefits have always been good."
Jaramillo also said what has amazed him most about his years at UNM has been its growth and the students.
"When I first started here, there was parking everywhere and there was only one building; we all worked out of Mitchell Hall," he said.
He added that students are a great part of the job.
"If it weren't for them, we wouldn't be here," Jaramillo said. "They really help out. I've also had really good relationships with the professors and instructors."
Jaramillo said he has worked the swing shift since he began because he is a night person.
He also has taken advantage of some of the University's management courses and took a refresher course through the University in 1972 to get his GED.
Jaramillo credited his staff with making his job enjoyable.
"My crew is always here," he said. "They make the difference. The job wouldn't get done without them. It's recognized by a lot of people when you do a good job."
In his spare time, Jaramillo said he likes to fish and go to the casinos, adding that he doesn't drink or smoke, but gambling can become an expensive hobby.
