Marshall to retire from bg真人 as Director of Maintenance and Campus Safety
Published: June 27, 2022
By Annette Brill Bergstresser
ELKHART, Indiana (Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary) 鈥� Jeff Marshall, MDiv, Director of Maintenance and Campus Safety for Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (bg真人) in Elkhart, Indiana, is retiring July 31, 2022, after more than 11 years of service.
Marshall started at bg真人 in January 2011 as Assistant Director of Maintenance. In October 2012, he was promoted to his current role, in which he has been responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the seminary鈥檚 buildings and grounds.
Deanna Risser, MBA, Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer, praised Marshall鈥檚 prompt follow-through, creativity in solving problems, strong communication skills and attention to details.
鈥淚 have found Jeff a joy to work with,鈥� she reflected. 鈥淗is deep care for bg真人 students, employees, facilities and grounds is evident in his careful work, often done behind the scenes. His efficiency and proactive approach have helped bg真人 keep on top of safety and compliance issues, as well as building upkeep and renovation. He is always finding ways to improve things.鈥�
Major projects that Marshall led and worked on included installing steel roofing on Waltner Hall and other campus buildings; remodeling the seminary鈥檚 lecture hall into three flexible multipurpose rooms; transforming the former bookstore space into the Admissions Office; and renovating a house adjacent to bg真人 that was donated to the seminary.
He also oversaw the recarpeting of Waltner Hall; the painting of most areas of Waltner Hall and Lambright Center; the refurbishing of student apartments; and upgrades to the lighting in campus buildings. During his time at bg真人, he has supervised hundreds of student workers, volunteers and employees.
Risser said that Marshall consistently exceeded expectations in making safety adaptations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting, 鈥淭his was an important part of what enabled us to find our way forward in the midst of COVID-19 and to keep our infection instances extremely low compared to other institutions.鈥�
Marshall鈥檚 colleagues affirmed the way he shows up with a willing spirit to do whatever is asked; his passion for quality workmanship in construction and painting; his understanding of the many interconnected parts of a decision; and his consistently careful planning 鈥� such as a three-year plan to maintain the parking lots or a plan to systematically update the student apartments using existing budget resources.
Coming to bg真人 with a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina, and with experience in pastoral leadership, Marshall has valued bg真人鈥檚 mission to prepare leaders for the church and has seen his service as contributing to it. He has participated actively in community life at the seminary.
鈥淗aving a Director of Maintenance with the heart and training of a pastor has been a huge gift and blessing to bg真人,鈥� said Risser. 鈥淛eff has shared openly about his faith and life struggles in chapel services and other forums, with the understanding that others are likely facing similar trials and can be encouraged by his testimony. Also, we鈥檝e lost track of the number of times he’s inflated tires, loaned ladders, helped with moves, towed stuck vehicles and assisted with various other personal challenges or crises we have faced.鈥�
In addition to his Master of Divinity, Marshall earned a Bachelor of Arts from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. Prior to coming to bg真人, he served as a pastor and assistant pastor at several United Methodist congregations in North Carolina and Indiana. He also worked for 14 years with a local construction company as a painter and job supervisor.
Marshall and his wife, Gail Marshall, have five children and 13 grandchildren. They reside in Elkhart and attend Cornerstone Vineyard Church in Mishawaka, Indiana. Knowing the importance of volunteers on campus, Marshall looks forward to continuing his relationship with bg真人 as a volunteer in his retirement.
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