Fall River brothers receive Outstanding Employee Award at Brown

Richard Lopes and Lewis "Roy" Lopes of Fall River, Mass., custodians in the Brown Bookstore, are the recipients of Brown University's first Plant Operations Outstanding Employee Award.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Richard "Rick" Lopes and Lewis "Roy" Lopes of Fall River, Mass., are the first recipients of Brown University's new Plant Operations Outstanding Employee Award.

The Lopeses, custodians in the Brown Bookstore, are among the University's 325 Plant Operations employees. President E. Gordon Gee, accompanied by Walter Holmes, vice president of administration; Dorothy Renaghan, associate vice president for facilities management; and members of the Lopeses' families surprised the brothers with the award during a noontime visit to the brothers' work site Friday, June 26.

The award is presented to a Plant Operations employee who demonstrates outstanding performance and quality service. Many of the people who nominated the pair ("I can't nominate one without the other because they are a team," wrote one person) cited the brothers for their dedication, their willingness to go the extra mile, the pride they take in their work, and their honesty. Richard Lopes has worked at the University since December 1977; Roy Lopes has worked at Brown since March 1978.

Some comments from those who nominated the brothers:

• "Both Rick and Roy are the perfect example of a team ... caring, kind and respectful of others. ... They are the `Golden Rule' in action."
• "During Commencement, when the store and University are at their busiest, they empty the city trash cans as well as the Bookstore's. Thayer Street would be loaded with debris if it weren't for them."
• "Good housekeeping in a retail operation is critical ... a constant effort to maintain and keep up with. Rick and/or Roy are there six days a week, every week, throughout the year come snow, rain or shine. Their housekeeping for the most part goes unnoticed by the customers and all too often by us as well, because it is so well done."
• "Their job is ever present and often thankless. Rick and Roy sustain each other, and us, with their patient and steady assistance and plenty of good humor. ...They are family, and good cheer, and together they help to promote a sense of family and place at the Bookstore, and in the University community."