We are excited to announce Vanessa Syms, Custodian with Facilities Services at WSU Pullman as a Crimson Spirit Award recipient.

Vanessa’s nominators had many great things to say. “Vanessa is the custodian on my floor, and she is truly phenomenal at her job. She takes immense pride in her work and in maintaining our building, and it shows every day. Vanessa approaches everything she does with a smile and a positive, can‑do attitude that noticeably brightens the environment. She goes out of her way to learn people’s names, even though she does not regularly interact with everyone on the floor. This personal attention makes our community feel welcoming and valued. During the holidays, she even made thoughtful gifts for faculty, staff, and graduate students on our floor—an incredibly generous and heartfelt gesture.”

“Vanessa is a ray of sunshine that walks our halls. She takes an interest in what we are doing.”

“She lights up the hallways with her infectious joy and is genuinely interested in making a brighter day for folks. She leaves little plastic toys hidden throughout the building, adds fun decor and meets everyone with a smile and pleasantry. She really makes my day!”

“In almost 30 years of teaching college, I have never encountered a friendlier, more proactive, and more helpful custodian than Vanessa. She is great about alerting me to issues with the facility. Her work is second to none. When we have had concerns about the building, she has always followed up to make sure they were resolved properly. I know that several of us in the department feel so much better knowing that Vanessa has our back.”

“Vanessa is one of the warmest, friendliest, and most genuine employees I have encountered at WSU – and that is saying a lot, given the quality of people who work here.”

“Vanessa is an outstanding colleague and contributor to the Johnson Tower workplace. As the building’s custodian, Vanessa shines daily, just like the floors and elevator buttons that she cleans. Rarely do I see someone who takes as much ownership of their work as Vanessa. She cares for each part of the building by prioritizing cleanliness, safety, and even fun!”

“Vanessa goes above and beyond to ensure that our building (Johnson Tower) is in fantastic condition. She is always thoughtful and transparent, communicating when an issue is being resolved, and makes great effort to accommodate staff and faculty needs. We are truly fortunate to have her on our team.”