Darryl gives students a lift

One shuttle ride with Darryl Richardson and it’s obvious he’s not your everyday driver.
Darryl, often referred to by his first name, is friendly. He enthusiastically greets everyone who boards his shuttle, asking how each person is doing. His captivating smile and contagious laughter puts his riders at ease. Everyone that steps on the shuttle cheers up after chatting with Darryl, even if it’s only a brief conversation.
Darryl has been driving since August 2002 and became a shuttle supervisor only a few weeks after he was hired. Darryl says he’s grateful for the opportunity given to him by Ken Vance, director of Public Safety at Georgia College & State University.
According to Darryl, safety is his primary concern.
Darryl spoke very highly of his group of shuttle drivers here at GC&SU and said they’re like family to him.
“We’re one big happy family. We work hand in hand with each other and always keep in touch with each other through the radio,” Darryl said.
“Darryl is a nice person to work with,” Gary Doughty, a shuttle driver at GC&SU, said. “He works hard to fit the hours that I need into my schedule.”
Aside from the one here at GC&SU, Darryl also has another family. He has a wife and three children: a 28-year-old daughter who graduated from Georgia Military College, a daughter who is a senior at a college in Buffalo, NY and a son who is a senior in high school.
Prior to this semester, Darryl usually drove the midnight shuttles, but now he drives both during the day and at night.
“I enjoy driving during the day because I can see the traffic flow, but I like driving at night too, so I can make sure the students get to where they need to be safely,” Darryl said.
During his night shifts, when he drops students off for late classes, Darryl asks them what time to pick them up. If plans change, he tells them to call public safety so he can be assured they are safe and have alternate rides home.
He also offers to pick up students who have been drinking downtown. He tells them to meet him at Bell Hall so they don’t have to drive home under the influence of alcohol.
“I’ve met so many parents, and they thank me for taking care of their kids,” Darryl said. “But I’m just doing my job!”
Not only does Darryl act as a father to students, he also acts as a tutor to them. He especially enjoys working with students on Spanish and math.
He reminds students each day that the principal thing in their lives should be education, and that they should never give up on school, no matter how hard it gets.
Even when he’s not sitting at the driver’s seat in his shuttle, his cheerful personality follows him wherever he goes. He attributes this to his ability to get along with just about anyone.
“I had neighbors from Germany, Wales, Ireland, Spain and Puerto Rico,” Darryl said. “I had a good dose of everything growing up, including a lot of Jewish, Chinese and Italian friends, and now, I can relate to anyone.”
Darryl grew up in Queens, NY, and got a taste of a variety of people. Darryl advises everyone to look past skin color.
“When you learn to look past color, it’s like a treasure,” Darryl said. “You learn people’s history, and it’s interesting because everyone has a different story.”
Aside from being a shuttle driver, Darryl has had many other job experiences. He was a buyer for four military bases, he’s worked in the purchasing fields at Volckening, Inc. and Grumbacker, as well as working in the teaching field as a Head Start teacher and a paraprofessional.
“All of my business experience has helped me to work with people,” Darryl said.
When asked what the best part of his job is, he smiled.
“The people I meet here are like family,” Darryl said. “At times, it doesn’t even feel like this is a job. There are no ulcers, no headaches; it’s so pleasant. I believe God had a reason for me ending up here.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 16 2004. Filed under Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry