Luis María Tanco retires after 40 years of work the University

The Pamplona native arrived at the University of Navarra at just 22 years of age, with dreams to fulfill and a work brought him a new adventure every day.

After contact University in 1984, Luis María Tanco joined as a security guard in 1986. Since then, he has worked as a security guard and porter, a profession to which he has devoted himself for thirty years.

After more than forty years of work the institution, and on the occasion of his retirement at the age of 63, he looks back on his experiences at the University:

What do you remember about your years as a security guard?

I was young, full of energy, and every day we faced a wide variety of situations: from helping to start a car to participating in the rescue of a family during a flood at the School Ecclesiastics... We worked for the business Proces, now the group , and people used to come to us, calling us "the campuspolice." I was always accompanied by a German shepherd named Klaus, who followed me everywhere.

In 1990, I joined as a campus security guard campus we worked night shifts, patrolling the Sciences Building, the Library, Law, Communication, the sports center, Ecclesiastical Sciences... At night there were three of us and during the day there were two. The night shift ended at 7:30 a.m., and I am the last one from that era who has yet to retire. I am pleased to have reached a position that required physical fitness and a specific level of access.

1990, Luis María on the night security team at the University of Navarra

And what about your time as porter?

In 1996, I started working as porter the Central Building, where I stayed for about twenty years. It's a building I identify with because of the order and the roles of staff. At that time, everyone had their role and we worked like a well-oiled machine. Then I moved to the School of Architecture, where I've spent eleven years. It's a center that has many good things to offer.

After 40 years at the university, do you consider it your home?

I lived with my family for 17 years in the Sánchez Bella Building (the Library). Working here has allowed me to be surrounded by people who convey enthusiasm, and that is contagious. I will miss it, because I have been able to experience the enthusiasm, excitement, and effort of society firsthand... And that rubs off on you.

I lived through the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, and I witnessed professionals who were very dedicated to their work, to the Chair to teaching worked tirelessly. That teaches you a lot.

What will you do with your time after retirement?

To my family, going out to the countryside... what I usually do in my free time.