Comments on: Stella Knicely remembered for deft management of EMU’s physical plant hub

By: Jack Rutt

Jack Rutt — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 02:31:30 +0000

I am guessing that every new employee at some point during their first day of orientation was told, “Now you will need to go down to the Phys Plant office to get your keys from Stella.” Upon hearing that I wondered, “Who’s Stella?” There was also the inference, ” . . . and make sure you have your paperwork in order.” When I met Stella it didn’t take me long to understand why I was given those warnings, but behind her “attention to the details”, I quickly saw that Stella had a huge dose of empathy and would do her best to “find a way” to get you the resources you needed. Although her first look when you came into the office may have seemed intimidating to the uninitiated, as whatever transaction you were there to complete proceeded, it did not take long for you to realize that the established policy/procedure would be honored but she was there to help you find a way to get what you needed. I have never met someone who so consistently and effectively balanced those two burdens of job responsibility . . . to honor policy/procedure but to help her customer achieve what they wanted from the resources she was charged with managing. Once you got to know her it was a joy to engage in conversation with her and bring out her reserved, but warm smile.

By: Melissa Beidler

Melissa Beidler — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 20:32:04 +0000

As a student in the mid-90s working in drama, it was always “Go see Stella for the keys.” You never got them without the proper signature, but then you got them with a smile.

By: Brian Martin Burkholder

Brian Martin Burkholder — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 19:06:44 +0000

Stella was a gem for sure – a treasure sometimes hidden within a serious approach to work and stern adherence to protocols and expectations. She insisted that we could only have a fire permit if we followed the City of Harrisonburg guidelines that open fires could only be used for cooking food. From then on, campus ministries always had a bag of marshmallows and a few sticks at our campfire gatherings. That suited her just fine. I do miss Stella and send loving care to her extended family in their journey of facing loss and grief.

By: Jessica Hostetler

Jessica Hostetler — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 14:38:51 +0000

I was so fond of Stella. We both had a penchant for rule following (and keeping those around us in line!), which can make one come across as tough or inflexible, but she obviously cared about each person around her, and her work at EMU. My favorite conversation with her was one when, after I strained a ligament in my foot, we bemoaned the lack of options for supportive, yet stylish, footwear. It is sad to think of a world without Stella in it – I hope she knew how beloved she was in our community!

By: Mike Medley

Mike Medley — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 00:47:18 +0000

Serving as director the Intensive English Program for 10 years (1999-2009), I led many fieldtrips and, consequently, picked up vehicle keys many times from Stella. I found her to be like “an acquired taste” — the more I got to know her, the better I liked her and really missed her when she retired in 2015.

By: Michael A. King

Michael A. King — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 19:04:45 +0000

My former colleague Nancy Heisey says that “My favorite conversation with Stella, once when I was picking up keys, had to do with appropriate dress!” I don’t recall the precise topic but I also recall picking up my keys from Stella when first employed at EMU and that I tried some teasing. I quickly realized that only very high-wit teasing would meet her bar. I like to think maybe she gave me at least a C in teasing, since I do fondly remember some smiles and I dare think even a chuckle.

By: Marian J Bauman

Marian J Bauman — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 17:58:07 +0000

Working in the administrative office at EMU gave me many occasions to be in touch with Stella. I got to know her as a colleague, but also a friend. We liked to throw gentle barbs at each other, knowing there would be a response from the other. She knew the ‘in and outs’ of how things worked the best–and yes, what the guidelines were. But that helped me know the expectations.
She displayed a caring attitude and sincere faith in what she believed.
After her retirement, and then the onset of her illness, I found her accepting of her future knowing how her life on earth would end. Even in pain, she did not complain.
Rest in peace Stella! I’m grateful our paths crossed–til we meet again.

By: gerald

gerald — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 16:50:19 +0000

Glad for the cheerful memories. And God said, “Knicely done!”

By: Valerie Helbert

Valerie Helbert — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 16:42:01 +0000

Beneath Stella’s stern adherence to policy and procedures lived a warm and generous heart. She and Loretta often had time for a quick conversation and some laughter in the midst of a workday, and I appreciated that so much. I truly enjoyed working with her over my 13 years at EMU and am sorry to hear of her passing.

By: Sue Edwards

Sue Edwards — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 15:33:07 +0000

The smile that was captured in the first photo of this article was my goal each time I saw her in the Physical Plant, and one summer in the mid 90s, that was a LOT. I loved learning about her life, and I honestly think she loved hearing about mine. Her rule-following sternness was a good model for me later in life when struggling how to define boundaries among strong personalities. My heart is sad to hear of her passing, but glad that I could experience and create many smiles with her.

By: Lori Gant

Lori Gant — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 15:21:38 +0000

I had the honor of becoming “The New Stella” in 2015! I used that phrase for quite a while until people got used to me sitting in Stella’s chair! She trained me with precision and detail and indicated it was difficult passing the torch after she had accumulated so much knowledge over many years. As I was training, there were many times I would look at her and let her know I felt overwhelmed. She patiently kept working with me. She was a hard act to follow but I am thrilled to be a part of the Facilities Management/Auxiliary Services Departments!

By: Douglas Wandersee

Douglas Wandersee — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 14:45:20 +0000

I adored Stella. And I choose to believe she mostly tolerated my teasing and joking around with her. My favorite memory is when I brought one of our new CAC students down to her office to get keys to the Films closet. Stella took one look at the student, who had hair dyed blue, paused and said “Oh I like your hair”. I mean…how do you not love that? And those speed walks with Loretta up and back from Chapel. Or joking with her about heading to the beach with her sisters in Florida. Stella and I often swapped chocolates at Christmas…she liked the white chocolate, and I liked the dark. I will miss her dearly. She made my time at EMU so much more meaningful and joyful.

By: Harvey Yoder

Harvey Yoder — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 13:35:07 +0000

A truly fine professional, always helpful when I needed access to various sites on campus when doing workshops for EMU students.

By: Nancy Heisey

Nancy Heisey — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:02:35 +0000

My favorite conversation with Stella, once when I was picking up keys, had to do with appropriate dress! We laughed at how much we agreed.

By: Linda Alley

Linda Alley — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 02:02:05 +0000

I really liked Stella, and worked hard to stay in her good graces! She had a professional work ethic that couldn’t be beat, and a kind heart.