Semir Jackson
A&E Editor
On Friday, Oct. 31, Lowry Dining Hall employee Alan Conrad, known to many as “Al,” retired from The College of Wooster after 25 years of greetings, service and smiles. It did not matter if a student, professor or staff member walked into the dining hall, Al always welcomed them, often with a bubbly greeting. “He’d always say hi at breakfast when I walked in. A great way to start the morning with a familiar face and a smile,” said Rye Kral ’26.
At the beginning of the week leading up to his retirement, a card station was set up at the cashier’s desk of the dining hall. People could write a card to Al, sharing memories or wishing him well in his retirement. At the end of the week, Lowry Dining staff threw him a party to commemorate his more than two decades of dedication to The College of Wooster and congratulate him on his retirement. With a cake that read “Best Wishes, Al!” and high spirits, many people stopped by to wish him well during his retirement.
Al was eager to start his retirement as soon as possible. “Well, I’m gonna start [my retirement] right now. I have this cake I’m gonna eat and all these letters to read. It’ll probably take me ’til Christmas to read ‘em all.”
Al’s energy and sincerity will be missed, as he knew how to put a smile on people’s faces. “Al brought a consistent bright face and joyful ‘good morning’ to the start of my day,” said Madisen Guinn ’27. “These small, positive contributions will be deeply missed by many.”
Hopefully, it does not take him until Christmas to read his letters, and may his retirement be filled with peace and rest. The College of Wooster will miss Al dearly!