2020 - Steve Sarver: Eagle Scout and All-Around Resource Man

Steve Sarver, executive assistant for the Marketing & Communications Office, only had one month of the ECC campus experience before the pandemic set in and the campus closed.

“It was a huge challenge to start at the beginning of a pandemic and trying to learn my job while also helping our team navigate the crisis and transition to remote work,” said Sarver. In addition to assisting the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Dr. Toya Webb, Sarver helps oversee the day-to-day office functions.

“I enjoy being a resource person when people have questions. This is not to say that I have all the answers, but I can usually direct people to those who do,” he added. Learn more about Sarver and his surprisingly musical aspirations below:

What has been your greatest accomplishment in life so far?

Other than my boys, it would be writing and publishing the history of my Scout camp, which turned 80 years old this year. The process involved several years of interviews and research, but quite a few people have told me that ‘you got it right,’ and others have told me they read the book cover to cover in one sitting. One former staffer, who was very instrumental in the 1950s, wrote to me and said that he laughed and cried, sometimes on the same page. I am very proud of this publication.

Several years ago, one of the Cub Scouts in my pack came up to me and thanked me profusely for being the father-figure in his life. I was speechless (yes, that DOES happen!) It was all I could do to go into another room and cry. I will soon have the privilege of presenting him with his Eagle Scout award. That’s the real paycheck - helping young people to become responsible adults.

Name a job or role at ECC that you would like to try for one day and explain why.
I’d love to conduct ECC’s concert band. I really enjoyed being in band in high school and how the director got all the various instruments to work together. I can assure you, the folks that made the movie Mr. Holland’s Opus totally nailed it!

If you could instantly be an expert in one thing, what would you choose?
Playing the violin. I think that music from string instruments is very beautiful and I could listen to it for hours.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work (i.e., hobbies/interests)?
Spending time with my two boys, coaching soccer, electrical rewiring and other home improvement projects, and Chicago Blackhawks hockey. I am also an Eagle Scout and have been active in Scouting for more than 43 years. I have been a Cubmaster, assistant Scoutmaster, and committee member, in addition to serving on the staff of courses to help train other Scout leaders. I have also coordinated camp staff reunions, one of which took place less than two days after my son was born!

If you could live in a TV show, which show would it be and why?
Star Trek, because it would be cool to be around all that technology!

Where is the best place you’ve traveled? Or where would you like to visit?
I love Florida! Great beaches, and the sunsets on the Gulf coast are absolutely beautiful. The Black Hills of South Dakota is a pretty close second.

You have to wear a t-shirt with just one word on it for an entire year. What would that word be, and why?
Pizza. No idea why, it was just the first thing that came to mind! (I just hope the pizza has anchovies on it!)

Share a fact about you that might surprise people to learn.
I’m secretly a fan of Full House and Little House on the Prairie.

Name someone you admire and explain why.
I was a fan of Astronaut Jim Lovell long before the Apollo 13 movie came out. And I had the privilege of meeting him shortly after the movie came out.

What was your most valuable life lesson?
A former boss once said “If I had to choose, I’d rather have someone working for me that I can trust rather than someone who knows the job. I can train a person to do the job, but I can’t train trust.”

Complete this sentence: “I enjoy working at ECC because…“
I think education is very important, and I am happy to be part of a team with that same mindset.