The Longest Tenure at CSDR with 51 years - Kim Cheek, ‘86

Each school and company has its longest student enrollment or employee service. CSDR has three categories: student enrollment, employee service and a combination. We have somebody who holds two out of three categories. Her name is Kimberly “Kim” Cheek, ‘86.

Kim’s affiliation with CSDR began in Fall 1969 at the age of 3. She had the privilege of starting in the Lower School under the legendary principalship of Miss Grace Paxson. Paxson was CSDR’s employee number three, with Dr. Brill as employee number one and Business Manager Walter Laputz as employee number two. CSDR has had over 1,000 employees since its inception.

Kim and her classmate arrived at the same age and stayed together until graduation. She explains that they were held back for two years in JrHS while HS experienced severe overcrowding due to the Rubella pandemic in the mid-1960s leading to a high incidence of deafness at birth. The Classes of 1983 (96) and 1984 (103) broke the school record for the largest graduation classes.

After college studies, Kim returned to the familiar surroundings at CSDR for employment in 1990. She got hired to work in the residence program. She was already familiar with the dorms, which she called her home for 15 years.

After 35 years of service, Kim feels it is time to submit paperwork for retirement in June 2025. She could still has several more years to work, but her husband is ten years older than her. They want to be able to travel abroad and domestically while they enjoy good health.

Kim sets two records at CSDR. She and her 1986 classmate hold the longest enrollment record of 17 years, and she single-handedly holds the combined school and work record of 53 years.

Kim is a familiar figure on campus. We welcome her back as a visitor or a volunteer at CSDR between her travels