For those who thought that life would end after John Jenkins, meet Jonathan Varnell – a hard working family man. In late February, Guilford appointed Varnell interim director of facilities and operation.
Though Varnell is only here temporarily, he hopes to make his presence known. “I want to improve all areas of Guilford College facilities,” he said.
As director of facilities and operations, Varnell pretty much watches over the whole campus, anything from changing a light bulb to remodeling a building. Varnell has to deal with every department on campus in some shape or form.
Overseeing maintenance, building services, grounds and landscaping, the physical education center, and public safety are some of the main responsibilities of the position.
Before coming to Guilford College, Varnell was director of facilities, event management, and catering at Grace College, located in Winona Lakes, Indiana. At Grace he instituted a number of changes to the school’s facilities and catering service. One such achievement was reducing the number of student employees, which made room for full-time staff.
Varnell, as a member of the Sodexho Marriott Corporation, also set up a catering service for Grace College. Sodexho also provides the food in our cafeteria. This is one of the reasons Varnell is restricted from applying as a full-time director.
Varnell says he wants to have his staff stay focused and cultivate good attitudes.
Some of the major projects for the coming years are renovating Duke’s exterior, remodeling Founder’s hall, and putting new windows in Milner hall. The plan to remodel the exterior of the Duke building is estimated to be a $2 million-dollar project.
Varnell feels he is coming in at the right time; there is a new president and the school is in the process of renewal. “Mostly every one here is new. People like Reginald Hayes, director of public safety, Brian Wenger, director of the physical education center, and Anne Lundquist, dean on campus life, are all relatively new faces to Guilford College,” Varnell said.
Varnell is said to be an engaging person who gets along well with everyone. “I really think Varnell is a good guy.. He has a fresh, professional approach to all ideas,” said Dave Petree, director of physical plant. “I like him,” said Karl Gibbons, one of three full-time grounds crew members.
Varnell is also a sports fan. “Being a former baseball player, I enjoy athletics. At Grace there really weren’t much sports.” Varnell enjoys Greensboro and the community environment. He is married and has two children: a two-year-old and a four-year-old, both boy.s.
Varnell feels he can blend into his new environment. Despite the fact that he is only here temporarily, he looks to fit right in into the Quaker community. while improving the facilities department and the campus at large.