| Alyssa E. |
Central Payroll |
Payroll Supervisor/File Coordinator |
Katy Perry |
Rise |
When I'm feeling stressed or defeated, this song reminds me I am capable of anything. |
| Amber Ofiesh |
FOA BP - Budget Team |
Budget Analyst |
Jill Scott |
Golden |
This song is SO uplifting! The main lyric is "Livin' my life like it's golden." It really inspires me to make the best of all situations. Plus, who doesn't love a throwback jam? |
| Ashley McClure |
Design & Construction Management |
Executive Assistant |
David Archuleta |
OK, All Right |
This song helped me get through some of the craziness of 2020 by reminding me: it's ok, I'm alright! |
| Becky Grunewald |
EH&S |
Manager |
John Prine |
How Lucky |
I discovered John Prine after he died of COVID-19 and now he is one of my favorite songwriters. His lyrics are beautiful, and he was a kind and optimistic man. This song is a bittersweet song, and this has been a bittersweet year, where we have lost many. |
| Beth Loesch |
FOA Business Partners |
Supervisor - Budget Planning & Analysis |
The Police |
Don't Stand So Close to Me |
I think it summarizes how we feel currently as well as what will stick with us from 2020. |
| BreAnda Northcutt |
FOA Communications |
Director |
Lenny Kravitz |
Fly Away |
Because sometimes you just want to get away from all this madness! But you can't because there are travel restrictions ... and a pandemic. |
| Calvin Lee |
Admin IT |
System Analyst |
Johnny Nash |
I Can See Clearly Now |
Song of hope and resolution, looking forward to the future. |
| Chris Di Dio |
CPES |
GIS Programmer |
Son Volt |
Windfall |
Living your life free and easy. |
| Chris McGuire |
Design and Construction Management |
Contracts Manager |
The Beatles |
Here Comes The Sun |
2020 has felt like the longest year of my life. Many people can relate, I'm sure. A day or two after the COVID vaccines were showing very positive success rates, this song came on the radio as I drove to work, and it felt totally appropriate. |
| Christina Blackman |
Facilities Management |
Operations Manager |
Luke Combs |
Six Feet Apart |
That we are all in this together! |
| Christine Lovely |
Human Resources |
AVC/CHRO |
Pharrell Williams |
Happy |
This song always puts a smile on my face and makes me want to move! |
| Dale Huey |
Fleet Service |
Fleet Parts Supervisor |
Jimmy Buffett |
Its My Job |
No matter who we are, no matter what we do, we all play a a valuable part in this crazy time. Be proud of what you are, what you do and always keep your FINS Up. |
| Dan Scannell |
Admin IT |
Applications Developer III |
REM |
It's The End Of The World |
Self explanatory. |
| David Waller |
Utilities |
CHCP Operator |
REM |
It's The End Of The World |
It means I don't think we will ever go back to how it was last December. This is the new normal. |
| Dawn Kelly |
Facilities Management |
Project Policy Analysts |
King and Country |
Joy |
The words kind of emulate what has been happening in our world, then it leads to this amazing chorus that just gets you revved up and excited. Makes me happy every time I hear it. You can't help but get up and dance and force your fist into the sky when the chorus hits the word JOY!!!! |
| Debbie Tran |
Finance and Accounting |
Financial Business Systems Analyst |
Allman Brothers |
Soulshine |
It's a feel-good song that reminds us we have the power within to get through tough times. "When your world seems cold...let your spirit take control and let your soul shine" It's a great southern country rock song. The soulful voice of Greg Allman is also very powerful and moving. |
| Elizabeth Spurr |
Custodial |
Administrative Assistant |
Christian Kane |
The House Rules |
The week is behind us — let's have a good time. It's kept me going in 2020. |
| Frank Arredondo |
Grounds |
Supervisor |
Louis Armstrong |
What A Wonderful World |
When my kids were little I would play it for them. They still love it to this day. |
| Garret Feagins |
Energy and Engineering |
Control Systems Engineer |
Stabbing Westward |
Save Yourself |
2020 put us all in a state of solitude. We were forced to isolate and quarantine ourselves. This removed many of our comforts and support systems. I find this song, written long before the pandemic, holds a new meaning and illustrates how I felt during the quarantine and isolation. There were days, even weeks, I wanted "normal" but that wasn't within reach. Other times, friends and loved ones were struggling with the isolation. This song cries out for our need to be "saved" but we were shackled, unable to help ourselves let alone those we cared for. |
| George Hosch |
Utilities |
Project Manager |
LCD Soundsystem |
Dance Yrself Clean |
Cynical hope. |
| Ingrid Stromberg |
Campus Planning and Environmental Stewardship |
Campus Urban Designer |
The Mountain Goats |
This Year |
It's really about living in defiance of all of the things that may keep you down, and finding some joy where you can. Also a bit sardonic, like me. ;) |
| Jen Smuda |
Transportation Services |
Customer Service Representative |
The Hu |
Wolf Totem |
This is my "get pumped and get through" song. The lyrics are in Mongolian, but are basically "whatever comes at us, we can take 'em." I usually need it around 3:30 on a Friday. :) |
| Jennifer Valdeabella |
Admin IT |
Business Systems Analyst |
Griff |
Love is a Compass |
I heard this song right before the holiday season and it hit home hard. It really summed up just how staying connected with family and loved ones, though physically distant, was the key to getting through this year. |
| Jim Hewlett |
Supply Chain Management |
Communications Analyst |
Carly Simon |
Let The River Run |
It's inspirational, comforting, and a call to action to keep moving forward, even in challenging times. |
| Jonathan Dugger |
Fleet Services |
Service Writer |
Fisher |
Stop It |
The chorus describes how this year has been, like a roller coaster. |
| Katie Hetrick |
FOA Communications |
Senior Communications Manager |
Hall and Oates |
I Can't Go For That |
As a fan of soft hits from the 70s and 80s, it was no wonder the lyrics of this song were on a loop in my brain frequently throughout the year. Luckily, it is upbeat take on boundary setting. ;-) |
| Kelly Ratliff |
FOA |
Vice Chancellor |
Taylor Swift |
Willow |
My daughters first concert was Taylor Swift, and somehow I became a fan. Her new album Evermore has been playing in our home and it is nice to have something that I can enjoy with my two teenagers. It turns out that most of their music is not my music! :-) |
| Linda Schlager-McKenna |
Police Department |
Administrative Assistant |
Queen |
The Show Must Go On |
Uplifting song with a message of carrying-on through tough times. The fact that this song exists is a testament to man's ability to overcome. When Freddy was nearing the end of his battle with AIDS, he was questioned if he was up to the challenge of singing this song. He responded, "I'll do it!" — and he did! Love it! |
| Liz Corkery |
FOA Communications |
Web Manager |
Roy Ayers |
Everybody Loves the Sunshine |
I've loved playing chilled out music in the evenings once I "clock off." It helps define that the work day is done, and it's time to relax (and pour a glass of wine). |
| Melody Benson |
Business & Finance |
Payroll Supervisor |
Earth, Wind and Fire |
Lets Groove |
I watched a YouTube video featuring dance school students dancing with their parents in a fun, uplifting way, where they were truly enjoying their family time together! I just thought it was wonderful... music and dancing move the soul in such a positive way! |
| Mimi Rose |
Distribution & Logistics |
Administrative Assistant |
Pentatonix |
Mary, Did You Know? |
My love for Jesus is strong, and this is about his coming into the world. Very special day. |
| Monica Vargas |
Safety Services |
Administrative Assistant |
Eddy Dyno |
I Love Being Quarantined with You |
My partner, who is Hawaiian, and I love music and miss going to festivals. This song came on while we were having the perfect picnic in our backyard while listening to some of our concerts. |
| Nancy Hernandez |
FOA HR |
Human Resources Business Partner |
Bob Marley |
Three Little Birds |
It inspires positivity and patience. It also provided a calming effect when feeling anxious or unfocused. It's been a daily reminder that "this too shall pass." |
| Nathan Trauernicht |
Fire Department |
Fire Chief |
Miley Cyrus |
Midnight Sky |
It’s got a beat and rhythm that motivates me. On those days that feel like a carbon copy of the day before, it gives me a push to get going! |
| Noelle S. Reis |
Real Estate Services (DCM) |
Lease Administrator |
Andra Day |
Rise Up |
I feel like Andra Day's song "Rise Up" embodies UCD's resilience, persistence, justice, innovation and unity during this trying year, in regards to both COVID and racial injustice/inequality. When we keep hope alive and stick together we can move mountains! GO AGS! |
| Sandra Mott |
DCM |
Project Manager |
Foushee |
Deep End |
The vibe, the lyrics ... so appropriate to 2020. |
| Sharon Ree |
ASAP |
Program Coordinator |
The Police |
Don't Stand so Close to Me |
The title says it all i.e. 6' rule. |
| Stacey Waller |
Administrative IT |
BTSA II |
The Police |
Don't Stand so Close to Me |
It means get 6 feet away from me! |
| Susan McCutcheon |
Administrative IT |
HR Applications Manager |
Magic Giant |
Disaster Party |
Always have fun — even during a pandemic! |
| Teresa A Sugai |
SSO |
HR Manager |
Marvin Gaye |
What's Going On |
This has always been one of my favorite songs because the lyrics are applicable to events happening in the world at any given year/generation. Now, more than ever, we need to come together and find a way to bring understanding and love, instead of death, war, negativity and judgement. |
| Tom Harper |
Police Department |
Security Analyst |
Marvin Gaye |
What's Going On |
This song was [rereleased] after the 9-11 attacks. It shows how much the country was going through at that time and that we all need to come together to help the country heal. This song really hits hard this year. With so many people dying from COVID-19, so many people crying from the hurt not only from losing loved ones from the virus as well as the civil unrest that caused from racism, as well as the hurt felt from the election results on both sides. This song says that we are all in this together, and as a country, we can get through this together and be stronger. We all need to support each other to grow and move on from this year. |
| Tura Jenkins |
Shared Services Organizastion (SSO) |
HR Coordinator |
Tim McGraw |
Humble and Kind |
Strive for dreams, work hard, have good morals, be courteous and helpful to others. While life can be hard and sometimes horrific, don't hold on to bitterness, grudges or an inability to forgive, because that only keeps you from moving forward and healing. Learn what true love is, enjoy your life but don't take it for granted. Always remember where you came from and don't be too prideful as you try to make your way and get ahead in life. Basically, try to always do the right thing, stay humble as you are going through this life and be kind to others. And, enjoy life while you have it. |
| Tyson Mantor |
APG- Grounds |
Director |
Steve Poltz |
Quarantine Blues |
Always gives me a smile when I need it most. |
| Veronica Thron |
EH&S |
EH&S Supervisor |
Queen |
I Want to Break Free |
I am burnt out! I want to get away. I want to disconnect from technology, the never ending grim news and Zoom meetings. I picture myself on a warm beach drinking a piña colada. |
| Victoria Nguyen |
TES |
COVID kiosk worker |
Jeremy Zucker |
Hell or Flying |
When I’m sad it makes me more sad. |
| Anonymous |
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Marshmello & Demi Lovato |
OK Not To Be OK |
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| Anonymous |
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John Legend and Common |
Glory |
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