In the rush of classes, clubs and extracurricular activities, University students can often get caught up in the blues. But one student never lets life get him down.

Many students have probably seen Daniel Klingler around the Tate Student Center, going about his job with a smile.

What most don’t know is Klingler works a 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. shift as a janitor and then wakes up to attend class at 8 a.m.

“I want to gain a valuable set of tools,” Klingler said in an interview Monday. “And it’s going to take me to a better place.”

Klingler – who is 44 years old, with no real high school education – has set out to become an engineer.

“I’ve always wanted to do it,” he said, “but like children wanting to be an astronaut, the possibility just wasn’t there.”

Klingler’s journey started as a janitor working at Athens Technical College. He lived on his own and used his time at Athens Tech to bring himself up to speed.

“A lot of people helped me,” Klingler said.

In particular, Klingler mentioned Caroline Angelo, Athens Tech registrar, as having contributed to his success.

“Just being in a learning environment helped,” he said.

But Klingler said it wasn’t until he took on a janitorial position in Park Hall at the University that he began to seriously think about taking college courses.

“When I worked in Park Hall, every office I went into [there] would be someone who offered several books,” Klingler said. “They gave me textbooks, mostly classic Greek and Latin, and they basically encouraged me up until I registered for classes.”

Klingler attributes much of his success to the help others have offered, whether through support or through supplying his desire to learn.

“It’s amazing how supportive all the people around me are,” he said. “I think a lot of people without the support wouldn’t have made it.”

It hasn’t all been a smooth road for Klingler though.

“In the beginning of the semester, I was telling myself ‘I’m not going to make it,’” he said. “In class, the age gap kind of bothered me [at first]. But I’m adjusting.”

In a chemistry classroom, surrounded by younger students Klingler felt out of place.

“I’ve just recently caught up in class,” he said. “And stopped feeling like I don’t belong and I’m not going to make it.”

Klingler said there were many times when he would have a test and not be able to get enough sleep the night before.

“[Then] I realized that I have to just stick in there, and my body will do what it needs to do,” he said.

Klingler said proper time management is important.

“Try to make use of your time instead of cramming. If you have a little bit of time, take it. Use it,” he said.

Despite age and background differences between Klingler and his fellow classmates, he maintains a positive outlook for the future.

“I like the idea that I can finish almost to the point that you could become an engineer or a physicist, and that kind of looks like a bright way to go,” he said.

Even with the seven credit hours Klingler takes, he hasn’t forgotten his obligations at work.

“I don’t want to forget the most important person of all is my boss, Ella Carruth,” he said.

Carruth – who maintains several crews of janitorial workers – said what Klingler is doing is important.

“He’s the only one on the crew that I know of that’s going to school and working,” Carruth said. “I’d give him an A for that. Before he leaves this office everyday, he says, ‘We’re going to have another great day at the Tate.’”

Klingler has been described a person of many questions. But when asked what’s next for him, he didn’t hesitate to answer.

“I want to stay here. I really like this place,” Klingler said.

“If you counted up all the great minds on campus, it’s amazing.”