William McBride, 30 Years

Tell us about your career at Emory.

William works as a carpenter for Roads and Grounds within Campus Services.

I started out as a trades helper, just hoping to get my foot in the door. The pay was modest, but since I live in the neighborhood, I appreciated not having a long commute. One of my biggest hopes was that my children—three at the time, two girls and a boy—would one day be able to take advantage of Emory’s courtesy scholarship.

What are some of your favorite memories of your time at Emory?

One of my proudest moments was watching my daughter Rebecca graduate from Emory in 2015. I sat in the audience with tears in my eyes. It was an incredibly meaningful day. I also served as president of the Employee Council in 2001, when one of the main issues we focused on was smoking on campus. That same year, like everyone else, we were caught off guard by the events of September 11. Not a fond memory, but one that stays with me.

What are some of the most significant changes you have witnessed over the course of your career?

The expansion of Emory’s real estate footprint throughout the neighborhood has been monumental. What stands out is how smoothly it has happened, with very little disruption or criticism that I have seen.

Is there anything you miss from back in the day?

Back in the day, Emory felt more like a family. There was a real sense of closeness across campus. These days it feels a bit more corporate, and I do miss that older spirit of community.