Name: Wayne Martin
BYU employee since: 2001
My job at BYU is... in Physical Facilities, where I manage the installation and maintenance of all types of flooring, window coverings and upholstery on and off campus. Included in our off-campus work is Aspen Grove, Spring Haven Lodge, Timp Lodge, Provo Temple, Mount Timpanogos Temple and Provo City Center Temple — just to name a few!
The best-kept BYU secret is… working at the BYU Flooring and Upholstery Shop. While we not only offer the best service we can for campus, we also have a close-knit shop where students learn new skills and enjoying the friendly atmosphere. Being from the South, I make a dessert called "Possum Pie" for my students' birthdays.
My favorite part about teaching is... recognizing the fruits of our labor, training from beginning to end. Watching the first day as one of my students makes a work apron, as they learn how to sew on an industrial sewing machine, to the day that they can sew and recover a piece of furniture is such a gratifying experience.
My favorite spot on campus is… the Cannon Center because when I see chicken and waffles on the menu, I take some of my shop with me for lunch. We love to visit and learn about one another.
My most cherished memory at BYU is… all of the times I could support my students by going to their missionary homecomings and farewells, wedding receptions, school plays; our shop parties and picnics, 5k runs and eating pizza while watching the devotional. When I retire the thing I will miss the most is my awesome students!
The title of my autobiography would be… well, not my autobiography but I am writing a book based on my 25 years of playing Santa Claus. I have titled it “What Kids Really Want for Christmas.” Spoiler: I learned what kids really want for Christmas is simply love.
My favorite quote is… “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God ... and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven.” (Orson F. Whitney)
I’m currently working on… building pads for the BYU Dunk Team, recovering sleeper sofas for Aspen Grove, windscreens for the outdoor tennis courts, carpet and window coverings all over campus and more.
My go-to comfort food is… biscuits and gravy! Born in Texas and raised in Arkansas, I learned to make the best biscuits and gravy from my mother!
