College Honors Its Senior Employee

For more than three decades, Donald Reyes has taken pride in the neat and trim appearance of the Cal State Fullerton campus.

Reyes, a Placentia resident, was recently honored for his 35 years of service as a grounds worker on the campus. He also holds the record for longest span of active employee service at the university.

Over the years, he has helped plant more than 3,000 trees on the campus, including the large pines surrounding Langsdorf Hall.

Reyes, who turns 60 this month, recalled that when he first came to work for the university in May, 1963, much of the campus and surrounding land was covered with orange groves. Crops on campus also included tomatoes, wheat and corn.

During the years, Reyes and his colleagues have received compliments on the appearance of the campus from students, faculty members and staff.

“I have seen it all grow,” Reyes said, “And that means a lot to me.”