What’s your job? is a series focused on the work of FP&M employees. As the largest and most diverse nonacademic unit on campus, it can be challenging to learn everything our division is responsible for. These stories shine a light on FP&Mers and what they do to keep campus safe, sustainable and successful.
Walking through UW–Madison’s buildings feels like stepping into — and onto — a living timeline, where 175 years of history are preserved and restored through the expertise of FP&M’s tradespeople. Among them are terrazzo and tile setters Aaron Yerk, Preston Bagley and Nick Tjugum, whose work breathes new life into the tilework found on campus floors, walls, roof decks, fountains and ceilings.
Aaron, Preston and Nick have each been with the team in Physical Plant’s Operations and Maintenance department for about eight months, and an unofficial title for their role might be ‘puzzle solver.’ As Aaron explained, the first step in the process of visiting a new job is always scouting to see what needs repair. They then check their tile stock to find matching items and piece together a plan of action.
As the project progresses, the tile setters communicate with building managers, letting them know the rough timeline of their project and how long they need an area closed off from the public.
Most tile maintenance on campus takes place in bathrooms, where grout joints and caulking around drains — like those in dorm showers — tend to break down and wear away over time with heavy use. When this happens, water penetration is a main concern because of potential water damage. This has sparked some creative thinking as the team worked to find materials that can better withstand the test of time.
To address these challenges, the team has turned to Epoxy, which has become the standard for flooring at the university. Epoxy is a two-part mix of resin and hardener, applied by rolling it out onto the surface. Granules are then added to enhance traction, making it less slip-prone and more resilient, to ensure the longevity of the product.
Working as a tile setter requires creativity and direct, manual efforts — meaning it isn’t for everyone. Yet, these three echoed an affinity for that kind of craft.
“I knew I would want to work in the trades from a young age, since I’ve always enjoyed hands-on work,” Nick said. “I helped on my grandpa’s farm and worked on cars, which helped teach me the importance of having pride in what I do, and the precision that goes into laying out an accurate project.”
While all three have similar mindsets and interests that drew them to the trades, they described the tiling process as much easier to learn when you have the right mentor by your side.
“There’s only so much you can learn from a book,” Aaron said. “It’s a lot of hands-on work. It mainly takes the faith and encouragement of the person who’s training you.”
Preston echoed this. “It’s a lot of trial and error. It’s really about just getting your hands dirty and learning as you go.”
The tile setters have previously worked in other tile-setting shops and explained how different it is to work at UW. For one, all three agreed, based on their individual experiences, that working for the university has been a healthier, more balanced, and more supported experience.
“Mentally, it doesn’t take a toll on you compared to other shops,” Aaron said. “At UW, the attitude is more so: we give you the time, make it look good.”
Aaron previously worked in hospitals and sports facilities, and he enjoys the work he currently does for the university.
“The university relies on you because they hired you … the fact that the university has that kind of trust in us as workers takes a lot off your mind.”
It’s that trust that eliminates pressure and fosters a better work environment for these tradesmen.
“I don’t take work home with me anymore,” Nick said. “Working for myself for 14 years, you take work home every day, every weekend.”
Aside from the continued opportunity to learn and hone their skills, all three reflected on the aspects of their job at FP&M so far that stood out — one being the importance of safety.
“To have a tiling project done right means the safety of everyone around it,” Aaron said.
Piecing together the puzzles of tile jobs can be challenging, but when it all comes together, the team said it’s incredibly rewarding, especially in older buildings. All three said a recently completed bathroom remodel in South Hall was fulfilling for this very reason.
“I really get a kick out of being able to say, ‘I did that, I made that look pretty sweet,’” Preston said.
Nick agreed, adding, “It’s rewarding to see a finished product that looks so nice.”
Aaron echoed his teammates, noting, “It’s special knowing that we have a piece in some of these buildings built in the 1800s. Tile won’t last forever, eventually they will want to update it, but seeing the campus grow and having the opportunity to continue working on it is exciting.”
Want to learn more about operations and maintenance at the FP&M finishing shop? More information is available on the Physical Plant web page.
By Corinne Loth and Kate Reuscher
Corinne is a strategic communications student intern with FP&M Marketing & Communications. She is a senior at UW-Madison majoring in Communications and Information Science with a certificate/minor in Digital Studies. Corinne has been working at FP&M since winter 2024.
Kate is a strategic communications student intern with FP&M Marketing & Communications. She is a junior at UW-Madison majoring in Strategic Communications and Journalism. Kate has been working at FP&M since spring 2024.