Students look to more than just the Housemasters for emotional support.  Many find willing friends in the House Manager, Ken Donaghey, and his Housing Staff and will talk with them in between classes or while making lunch.  Ken Donaghey has been the House Manager at Burton-Conner for nearly 20 years (1991-Present) and was the House Manager at Baker House (1983-1989) before coming over to Burton-Conner.  Having been around the house for so long, Ken is able to deal with anything that the students happen to throw his way.  Although sometimes coming across as upset at students for breaking windows or knocking holes in the walls, Ken’s tough exterior does not fool the students who know him well.

Michael Laird, class of 1969, told me about “Ritchie” a janitor who worked during Michael’s stay at Burton-Conner.  He became a close friend to hundreds of residents over a couple of decades and these residents wrote the Institute to urge them to award Ritchie with the Compton Award which he was awarded in the early 80’s.  Michael Laird said, “For a lot of guys, he (Ritchie) was the bright spot in the day for an understanding comment or a funny story.  He was a unique and valued aspect of life in Burton.”  Many students have their own story about one of the janitors who was around to talk to for the residents.