There’s been a lot of changes at Denison University since 1989.

But for the last 35 years, John Priest has been a familiar face in the Curtis Cafe dining hall.

John, of Newark, knows his way around the dish room, where he specializes in cleaning silverware.

“I always say, if I could have 20 John Priests, it would be wonderful,” said Catherine Stuck, Cafe manager. “They don’t come any better than that!”

John is known as a hard worker — during busy times he always pushes to make sure they are caught up on the dishes, Catherine said.

He gets along with his coworkers who enjoy talking to him about the OSU Buckeyes.

He takes great pride in his work, and is always so positive, Catherine said.

John said he likes the people he works with and recently celebrated getting a raise. He enjoys having a break during the summer and holidays when the university is closed.

When he’s not working, he spends time with his friends at SPARK and enjoys being an uncle to two nephews.