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“If you love something, let it go.”

“You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.”

“The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.”

Sometimes, the most cliche ideas are some of the truest. Just ask Tim Reger.

Tim Reger was originally employed at the Grand View University bookstore for four years when he decided to step into a position at Drake University. After only one year, Reger is back as the director of the Grand View University Bookstore and Campus Services. We wanted to know why, so we sat down with Reger to find out.

What was your original position at Grand View Bookstore?
I came here as the Campus Services assistant manager … in 2012. (The job) involve(d) all the print, student IDs, parking decals and all the student mail.

After four years at Grand View, you left. Why?
I was just looking for a better opportunity for my family. I was at the point where I needed something that could provide for my family a little bit better, (and) I ended up finding out about a position at Drake. When I was thinking about leaving to go to Drake, it was a huge struggle because you have to weigh (many factors) when you make a job move. I like what I do. Do I want to keep doing what I enjoy, or do I want to go someplace that I’m not so sure that I’ll enjoy the work but (where) I’ll definitely be getting paid more? Everybody is probably going to wrestle through that at one time or another.

So you decided to give Drake a shot, but after only a year, you’re back. Why?
The current bookstore director (at GV), Mike Schupp, was retiring, so I was approached and asked if I was interested in coming back. One of the things that did intrigue me about me coming back here is since the industry (is changing), I’d like to be involved with that change.
I (also) just love the people here at Grand View. I have a lot of good relationships here. I’ve developed a good rapport with the staff and with the students as well, and I just enjoy the work we do at Campus Services. I didn’t have those relationships at Drake.

So, you’ve stepped into a new position this time. How’s that going?
My main focus right now is to get familiar with all the text ordering since text is a majority of our bookstore revenue. A majority of my time right now is spent trying to get what course materials are required from the instructors … and then our big responsibility is to find out where to source those. Also, as director, (I have to be) able to see where the industry is going to see how we can get access to alternative materials or alternative methods to getting the materials to students.

How does it feel to be back?
When people found out that I was coming back, everybody was thrilled, and I don’t say that to toot my own horn because the feeling was totally mutual. When I came back, it was like coming back to my family. I stopped by and saw people, and people were just really friendly and thrilled to have me back.

What do you enjoy about working with students?
I enjoy working with students because this the time of student’s lives where they’re learning who they are and how they should be acting to be a benefit to their community. Whenever I communicate to students who work for us, I just want to give them a list of expectations, things that I’ve learned that have been helpful to me in being a good employee and that I think have allowed me to be employable no matter where I go … and I really like developing that in students. Plus it keeps me young. I don’t feel like I’m that old, but it’s kind of fun to be around the kids and their youth.

Are you here to stay?
Yes.

What would you tell people about Grand View?
I can champion Grand View. There’s so many great people here. We care about the students. There’s a tight-knit community.