38 Years of Service: Thank you, Mitiku Desalegne!

If you had told 29-year-old Mitiku Desalegne that a two-week contract at ICS would turn into a 38-year career, he probably wouldn’t have believed you.

What started as a short-term opportunity turned into nearly four decades of unwavering dedication and service to a community that will miss him dearly.

Mitiku, or Gash Mitae, as he’s more lovingly known around campus, began his career at ICS working in the maintenance department as an electrician. Over the years he took on various roles and responsibilities including as senior electrician, to working as a sound technician, and finally as the Team Lead of the Residence Department.

In his most recent role, Gash Mitae oversaw the care and maintenance of staff housing.

“During the summer months, we would prepare housing for incoming teachers. We were responsible for everything from the airport pick-up to making sure their homes were ready for them when they arrived,” he said.

Through this role, Gash Mitae says he learned the value of effective communication, being proactive, and planning for the worst-case scenario.

He recalls a time when a water heater burst the morning a new teacher was due to arrive; years of experience taught him to remain calm and act fast.

"We had checked the house the night before and everything was fine, but you have to plan for the worst."

“I called the staff member who was heading over to pick up the new teacher from the airport and told him to stall, take them to campus first and give them a tour,” he said with a knowing smile.

Gash Mitae and the residence team quickly sprung into action and managed to have a new water heater installed and the house cleaned up in time for the teacher’s arrival.

“What did we learn? Your back-up plan needs a back-up plan!"  

Over the course of 38 years, Gash Mitae has witnessed ICS’s growth and development.

“Ask me what hasn’t changed, that’s a shorter list!” he joked.

From the infrastructure, to the size of the faculty, and the number of students at ICS, he says the school has developed immensely and continues to grow from strength to strength.

But one constant throughout the years has been the importance of a tight-knit community — a lesson Gash Mitae says shaped the way he approached his work and is one he will carry with him into retirement.

“Community has always been a part of ICS. It’s bigger than me, and it has given me so much,” he said.

“I encourage everyone to immerse yourself within the ICS community and to really get to know your peers and yourself."

Gash Mitae said he’ll miss the work environment at ICS and the green compound, especially the track – his favorite place on campus.

His advice to ICS’s ever-growing community is simple yet meaningful: Find your passion, and nurture it. Always strive to improve yourself.

"There's something to learn every day. We can't say we're done learning," he said.

“Passion is what kept me going all these years, and I didn’t realize it until later in life. But I loved my job, it was my passion.”

"I thank God for my time here, and I'd like to thank my friends, my famile, my team - especially my manager Engineer Tadesse, who I worked with for 15 years - and the ICS community as a whole."

Gash Mitae, as you begin your well-earned retirement, the ICS community extends its gratitude for your service. We’ll miss your calm demeanor and friendly smile around campus. Good luck on this next chapter of your life and thank you for 38 years of dedication! Welcome to the ICS Addis Alumni Network!