Bicycle Brent retires from The Junction
A farewell party was hosted Friday for Brent Carpenter who is retiring after serving Utah State University in The Junction for just more than 30 years. Brent’s party was a combined effort of Dining Services and The Junction, said Lindsay Wiltshire, head of customer service at The Junction and Brent’s supervisor.
Brent, commonly known as Bicycle Brent around campus, said he would miss working with the students on campus.
“He worked for The Junction for 30 years. I think that’s great, and he always tries to be helpful,” said Kasumi Fujimoto, senior in Asian studies and Brent’s coworker.
Wiltshire said she will miss his ability to make everyone smile.
“I’m going to miss his gifts, candy for everyone. He’s bought me a basketball and birthday cards on Easter. He’s just really fun,” she said.
Brent’s parents, Charles and Bessy, attended the farewell party Friday and spoke of being proud of their son.
“We’re proud of all the things he has become,” Bessy said.
Bessy said one of her favorite memories of Brent while at Utah State was when he ran the Olympic torch through the Spectrum a few years ago to the cheers of Utah State students, peers and community members.
“There were over 10,000 people stamping their feet and chanting his name, ‘Brent, Brent, Brent.’ It was really a great experience for him,” Bessy said.
Charles said, “People were cheering and had bicycle horns. It was great.”
Brent is known for riding his bicycle around campus and for participating in as many things as possible, Wiltshire said.
“He is at everything,” she said.
Linda Jacobsen, in-house manager of the Quad Side Cafe, said one of her favorite things about Brent is his consideration and his desire to give.
“My birthday is the seventh of April and his is the ninth and every year he brings me something Betty Boop. I have Betty Boop socks, Betty Boop everything because of Brent,” Jacobsen said.
Wiltshire’s son, Damon, said Brent always is giving.
“He brought me a ‘Merry Christmas’ banner on my birthday one time. It was really funny,” he said.
Fujimoto said she agreed with Jacobsen and Wiltshire.
“He tries to be helpful. He’s smiley, nice and always caring,” she said.
Dining Services and The Junction combined efforts to buy Brent a new bicycle for his retirement, Wiltshire said.
“Everybody’s been so patient and kind to him. They’ve done it all for him,” Bessy said.
Wiltshire said she won’t miss Brent because she expects to see him three to five times a week.
Bessy said, “He thinks the school belongs to him.”
Carpenter shouted in agreement with his mom.
“Go Aggies!” he said.
–beck.turner@aggiemail.usu.edu