by Tara Beverly

The technological inner workings of OU-COM are sometimes taken for granted. But with people like Ralph Berry it’s hard to. Berry is an important member of the college’s Office of Information Systems and Instructional Technology. Without Berry and rest of the IS/IT staff, the pace of digital progress would slow to a crawl and our electronics would not run nearly as smoothly. Fortunately, nothing slows this dedicated IT guy down. Last week, we slowed him down just enough for this interview.

How long have you worked at OU-COM?

Berry: I’ve worked at the college for 18 years. Before that I was a corrections officer for the state. I worked in Marion and Nelsonville for three years. I was stabbed by an inmate with a pencil. I was working in the hold — where the rough prisoners are kept. Luckily he got me in the head (laughs), so there was no damage done. I’ve also served in the military as an MP.

What is your official job title?

Berry: It just changed — now it’s IT Support Specialist.

What is your educational background?

Berry: I received an associate degree in broadcast electronics from Hocking College, and I continue my education in the technical field through different training. I’m actually getting ready for more training here soon.

What is your daily routine here at OU-COM?

Berry: We work on the college’s printers and computers and anything faculty and staff need help with. I’m working on one right now. We also make upgrades on computers, and if they break down, we repair them. We always try to get them fixed as fast as possible to keep faculty, staff and students from having down time, because they have their work to do. I also help install the college’s networking, and I wire the ceilings and desktops, and for the microphones in the lecture halls. Last summer and early fall I was working down in the OMM lab before the 8 a.m. class. I was coming in at 2 a.m. to install the new projectors, plasma screens, microphones and the cabling for all the audio and video.

How much interaction do you have with students?

Berry: I have a lot of contact and interaction with students. Students find that the IT staff is a good — and free — source to get their laptops fixed, so they appreciate us. It’s a benefit for them. It’s very expensive to get laptops fixed at computer repair shops. Every once in a while a student will bring us in some cookies, so there’s a little side benefit for us.

What do you find most rewarding about your job?

Berry: Knowing that you are helping end users when they are struggling and stressed when their computers break down. When you get them fixed quickly they’re very happy about that.

Last year you were named the Ohio University Classified Senate Employee of the Month — and you were the first OU-COMer to be awarded it. But you also won another award, right?

Berry: Yes, it was the “IS/IT 2004 Employee of the Year” award. My boss, Alan Reed, presented it to me. Receiving the award felt great. I’m glad the students and staff appreciate my services.

What are the keys to your department’s success?

Berry: Individuals working together. We all work here together. We are all really close in the tech shop. If someone has a problem, he can always ask someone else for help. We have each other’s backs.

What do you do outside the college?

Berry: I like the outdoors. I like white-water rafting. For my 40^th birthday I went sky diving. I jumped from 12,000 feet. I had no idea I was doing this until the night before — my wife surprised me. It was blast. I’d love to do it again. I like to hunt deer, squirrel and rabbit. I fish for anything that bites but mainly crappies, catfish and bass. I go up to Lake Erie every once in a while to catch walleye. Several years ago, I went shark fishing off Blackbeard Island, Georgia. I love playing basketball. I’ve spent some time in the hospital for a few minor injuries playing basketball and baseball. I broke my leg sliding into home base — my leg sounded like a twig snapping. I spent the rest of the day in the ER and spent the summer in a cast. I’m a Cub Scout leader and am involved with my church a great deal. I teach vacation bible school at my church in Logan, United Brethren in Christ. I volunteer a lot; I enjoy teaching and working with kids. I have a wife, Anne, and two kids, a 13-year-old daughter, Felicia, and an 11-year-old son, Robbie. We live in Athens near the Plains.

What contributions do you feel OU-COM has made to Athens County and Southeastern Ohio?

Berry: I know that OU-COM does a lot of community service. Down here in the tech shop, we try to contribute any way we can. Sometimes we will all chip in money and support charitable events. A lot of time it goes unnoticed, but we feel pretty good about it.