I had worked during high school at a McDonald's in Kansas City, and just went through the motions and enjoyed the free meals. I had no intention of working there again. I didn't pay any particular attention to the Campus store during my first visit, except everything was clean and new, and the basement setting was different.
To help pay my way through school, I began working in the Pershing Group cafeteria. One day while working out in the Rothwell Gym, I met Bob Bailey--who later became one of my best friends. Shortly after that, I saw him working at Campus. I noticed that he and the rest of the crew seemed to be having fun and getting along great. By October, I had applied for a job there and gotten hired. I was eating more there than at Pershing, anyway. I also got to know and become good friends with Jim Watkins and Bob Randolph, who lived in Cramer Hall with me and worked at Campus.
For me, working at Campus was the high school I never had. In high school, I was a 98-pound weakling who wasn't popular, hot, funny, hip or athletic. I didn't make many friends, and never dated. Campus was one of the few places I'd been up to that point, where I was treated as an equal. The crew made me feel welcome, and accepted me for who I was. Joe Kell, Jan Keithley and Jay Curry were the main people in charge, and they remain among my best friends today. The first girl at Mizzou I had a crush on, was at Campus. So was the only girl I ever dated more than once.
One thing I learned at Campus, was how to work at a high-volume store with talented crewpeople--many whom had been managers at their home stores. I didn't learn until later how difficult it was to get hired at Campus. Jan hired the best of the best from across the state. I learned to take the job seriously and take pride in my work, because I didn't want to fall behind the rest of the crew. Working home football Saturdays, FFA conventions and state music festivals were a thrill. I fed off the energy given off by the rest of the crew.
I also learned how much fun Campus could be after work. On weekends after close, I'd be invited to someone's dorm or apartment to play spades. I had played in high school, but wasn't good at it. I learned how to play against talented, competitive people. I enjoyed the McDonald's social scene so much that I hardly ever studied. I would close Friday night, stay up all night playing spades, open Saturday morning for football games, go to the game, take a nap, play spades all night again, and sleep all day Saturday. No wonder my first semester was a C, two D's and an F! I flunked out midway through my sophomore year, moved out of the dorm and started working full-time at campus.
That's when I learned my final lesson--to take college seriously. I didn't socialize as much. When I wasn't working, I took Easy Access courses six credit hours at a time, and correspondence courses on the side. I did that for about three semesters. When a dean at the J-School saw that I had turned my grades around, he admitted me. I reduced my hours at Campus, and concentrated on graduating. I was on the six-year plan, but I made it! It took me a year to get my first broadcasting job, so I stayed in Columbia working at Campus.
I thought I had left McDonald's behind for good, until one summer day at my first job in Tupelo, Mississippi. I hated it there--and knowing that, three guys from Campus came down to visit and cheer me up. They were Dave Watson, Chris Bramstedt and Dave Wilfong. I knew Watson the best, and was only acquainted with the other two. I don't know where Watson is now, or what he's doing. But from that day in 1985 on, I became best friends with Bramstedt and Wilfong. Every year, they visit me or I visit them. I was honored to be the best man at their weddings, and watch their kids grow up. They both have helped me move to some of the places I've worked, and I've even lived with them during some tough times in my life. They've always been there for me.
On one visit back to Columbia, I enjoyed a return to the good old days at Campus. I gave Jan free labor during a state music festival, just to experience the thrill of how it used to be, one last time. As it turned out, I wasn't the only one with the same idea. Mary Ann and Ursula Seidelmann did the same thing! You should have seen the smile on Jan's face. That's the kind of loyalty she generated, and the kind of environment she created.
McDonald's has remained part of my life in one way or another since then. In four of my five broadcasting jobs, I've lived within walking distance of a store (not by design!). In 1992 after getting laid-off from a broadcasting job, I moved in with Wilfong and worked at a store in Springfield, MO. By then, the change in McDonald's already was evident. No more bins, no two fry stations, no four grills, no more 12 registers and cashiers, no more sear-lay or even turn-lay. No steamed danish. No more high-volume periods. Not nearly the level of skill, pride and responsibility. Not nearly the QSC we all learned. In fact, I was hired as a maintenance man in Springfield--but when the managers learned I had extensive experience working at Campus, they quickly had me opening and in drive-thru!
I think we all realize our Campus experience was unique and special. We probably are among the last people to experience the Golden Age of McDonald's. It's gone forever. But we can say we were there, and we enjoyed it. Thanks to all of you who remain my friends, and who will remain a part of so many good memories during one of the best times in my life.
As I close, I share with you my top ten memories of the Campus McDonald's. Some, I was present for; others, I was told about.
1. The first spades tournament. I can modestly say that I started what became an annual tradition for a while. It grew into brackets, seedings, entry fees, trophies, refreshments, mailed entry forms and official rules. I just didn't realize until later that you can't play a double-elimination, best-of-three tournament in one weekend. But I was amazed by how excited everyone got about the tourney--and how competitive it was. It was the next best thing to the campus-wide tournament idea Joe Kell and I had dreamed of.
2. John Frederich. The manager from Boonville was always getting into trouble. He got scolded a few times by Joe and Jan, and occasionally butted heads with Karen. He kept things interesting.
3. McAwards. At the end of a store picnic, we announced the results of a "best" list. Which crewpeople were the hottest, funniest, etc. Lots of laughs.
4. The Free Labor mentioned above.
5. Delivery Night. Bramstedt, his future wife Beth, and Wilfong hatched a plan (unknown to Jan) to deliver burgers to dorms and Greek houses on a Sunday night. Jan didn't approve when she learned of it the next day, but she couldn't complain about the sales it generated!
6. Open Vat. During one high-volume period and close to setting a record hour, one of the valves to a fry vat suddenly opens, dumping hot oil on the floor, making a mess, and ending the chance for a record hour.
7. Drink Station Incident. Joe Kell is running drinks for a register guy named Ed Engel. Ed, being a playful guy, innocently says: "How about a medium Coke there, big guy?" Joe gets pissed, not realizing Ed didn't mean anything by it.
8. Dress Table Incident. Closers had a habit of breaking down the dress table late in the shift to get ahead, using breakfast bases and a fry basket as condiment holders. That practice lasted a long time--until owner Doug Mehle made a surprise visit one night. That was the end of the practice!
9. Leslie Rose. Sweet girl who was easy to scare. A little TOO easy. Her blood-curdling screams earned me more than one stern look from Jan.
10. Denny Forbis. Maintenance man who used Kung Fu moves to pursue apprehend a customer who stole Diamond Hunt game pieces.
Have a great year, everyone!
Scott H
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