As soon as Al Hammett arrived at work on Wednesday, he was called on to address an urgent issue: The audio-visual setup in the Thwing Center ballroom needed to be adjusted, and a meeting was about to begin.
The request wasn’t out of the ordinary—but it marked the last time Hammett found a fix for the woes of faculty, staff and students who work and convene in Thwing Center. After 21 years at the university, ensuring that all meeting spaces in Thwing Center are prepared for the day ahead, Hammett retired Sept. 2.
Over the years, Hammett has cared for Thwing Center in myriad ways: On a day-to-day basis, he ensures meeting rooms are clean, stocked with AV equipment and set up for what’s on the schedule, but he’s also been part of transforming the ballroom for weddings and other major events.
“The weddings were always interesting because every wedding, they wanted a different setup,” he said. “When it’s set up and sort of over with, you get a sense of satisfaction.”
When Hammett was first hired in May 1994, he didn’t know the full extent of what was in store at his new job. Having just finished a training program for displaced workers who had recently been laid off, Hammett jumped at the opportunity to work at Case Western Reserve University as a building service worker.
His interview for a position at Thwing Center was only the second he had been on since the training program ended. A week after the interview, he had the job—one that made him a mainstay at the university.
He adjusted quickly—though, he admitted, learning the nuances of the AV system took some time—and eventually was promoted to lead building service worker.
“It’s been interesting,” he said. “The outside of the building has stayed the same, but we’ve had some changes on the inside.”
Beyond furniture and equipment updates, the way Thwing Center has been used over the years has evolved. The space includes less meeting spaces than when Hammett started. Instead, those rooms have been transformed into classrooms and department offices.
Now, after so many years at the university, Hammett is ready to look toward other activities, including volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity and going back to school to get a degree or certificate in automotive technology.
Congratulate Hammett on his retirement—but first, get to know him better (and check out this semester’s new set of five questions).
1. What’s the one place in Cleveland that’s your must-visit for out-of-towners?
I’d say Edgewater Park, especially if they’re coming from a place that doesn’t have a lake or they’re in the city.
2. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received from a teacher?
Be diligent about studying—that was [advice I got] back in high school.
3. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I think they’d be surprised to know I like to read about movies. I’ve read a couple of books about directors—Alfred Hitchcock and one of the French New Wave directors.
4. What famous person—past or present—would you most like to have dinner with and where would you go?
Michelle Obama, and I guess it’d be at a steak house. She seems like an interesting person. I think she’s been a lot more active as a first lady than you’ve seen in awhile.
5. What’s your favorite thing about Case Western Reserve?
I like the intellectual atmosphere. This is the very first college or university that I’ve ever worked in, but the students and professors seem to be doing a lot of things in Cleveland and our community.