ISU bids farewell to “red hot” employee, 31 years of service

With 31 years of Indiana State University experience under his belt, Dining Services employee James Ethridge says good bye to students and faculty.

A farewell retirement party was hosted in Lincoln Quadrangle Dining Hall for Ethridge.

Family members and co-workers attended the send-off on Wednesday, and Ethridge was the center of attention as others took pictures of and with him and recorded videos while he made his way around the dining hall, speaking with the attendants before his departure.  

"Teamwork is the reason we got as far as we got, and they will continue to go," Ethridge said. "Our main priority is to take care of the customer."

When students eat in the Lincoln Quadrangle Dining Hall, they may notice the far wall by the windows in which framed t-shirts and the decal, "ISU Sports," hangs.

These t-shirts have been signed by participants of sports teams that have broken records.

"The wall is what I call giving back to the university," Ethridge said. "You have to break a record, not just anyone can make it on the wall. I hope someone will continue this after I'm gone."

Ethridge has become known as "Red Hot" by his co-workers and students alike.

"They call me ‘Red Hot' because I would yell the phrase when the food was ready, and I was always on point," Ethridge said.

"He will be missed, but we wish him luck," said Lincoln Quadrangle "On the Run" associate, Janie Meneely.

Bob White, another Lincoln Quadrangle Dining Hall associate, has worked with Ethridge for all 31 years of his career.

"We are best friends," White said. Other co-workers joked that both White and Ethridge are reminiscent of 1993's "Grumpy Old Men" movie stars, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.

"[Ethridge is] a hoot. He always comes up with stories of his time here," said Lincoln Quadrangle Dining Hall staff member, Suzie Lamb. "I have worked side-by-side with him while he is in the deli and I am in the bakery."

Ethridge's last night on the job was back on the grill where most students remember him being for years before he moved to the deli area.

"I would like to thank the college and all my co-workers for the time here," Ethridge said.