Students and faculty members alike may recognize Bob Mrgich across campus, although they may not know his name. Across the Elizabethtown College community, he is affectionately referred to as “that guy from the College Store.” He may even be spotted patrolling campus with the other campus security officers. There is more to Mrgich than meets the eye.
Mrgich has been working for the College for two years as both a cashier for the College bookstore and as a Campus Security officer. One of his favorite activities on campus, he said, is patrolling with Security Officer Joe Miller. “I really enjoy working for Campus Security,” Mrgich said. “It gives me a chance to interact with the faculty, employees and students. It is comforting to know that the people I deal with are good people, unlike many that I dealt with from my prior employment. Nobody here has the intention to hurt or kill me.” Despite his enjoyment of patrolling with Campus Security, Mrgich doesn’t forget about his co-workers in the campus bookstore. “I also enjoy my time working in the bookstore,” he said. “You will find me there every day from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. I go by the name of ‘Bookstore Bob.’ I am luckier than most to have two fantastic bosses. I enjoy working with everybody at the College.”
Before working at the College, Mrgich worked as a Pennsylvania state trooper for 25 years. “I enlisted in the State Police in 1988,” Mrgich said. “I was first assigned to Troop J, Lancaster, Patrol Section. During my time with the state police, I worked as a garage inspector, criminal investigator, internal affairs investigator, motor carrier safety inspector and a patrol section supervisor. I retired at the rank of sergeant and last served at Troop J, Avondale.” Mrgich retired in 2012.
Mrgich made many memories during his years of work with the state police. “Some are of the positive influences I’ve had on victims and people I have interacted with,” he said. “Some are of putting bad guys behind bars and some are of horrific incidents I’ve been involved in. I can’t say I have one favorite memory, but over my 25 years, some of the most memorable are the Camp Hill Prison riots, the Nickel Mines Amish school shooting, guarding President George W. Bush when he visited Lancaster County and getting my thumb crushed when it got run over by a tractor-trailer. If I had the chance to do it all over again, I would sign up tomorrow.”
In his free time, Mrgich appreciates a variety of activities. His favorite hobby is hunting, although he also likes to spend time at the beach. “I enjoy metal detecting,” he said. “Three years ago, I found a $3,000 engagement ring.” Mrgich is also a football fan and enjoys rooting for his favorite team, the Miami Dolphins. He also enjoys taking rides on his motorcycle and spending time with his family. “My family includes me, my wife and our three boys, who are 25, 16 and 15,” Mrgich said. “My wife is an registered nurse who works harder than I do. We do things together as a family like ride or walk the local biking/hiking trails. I have a fishing boat, which we like to take out on the local lakes, ponds and the Susquehanna River. When we can, we like to go to the gun range and shoot an assortment of weapons.”
By working on campus, Mrgich said he brings his own unique blend of “patience, positive attitude and a sense of humor” to his job. “Elizabethtown College is a great place to work, and I’ve met some great new friends,” Mrgich said.
