Saint Louis University students might know some of the stories about The Samuel Cupples House, but they probably don’t know the story of Paul Kiser, one of the house’s full-time security guards who celebrated his seventh year at SLU on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

Kiser is a Department of Public Safety officer, working at the house during its open hours, Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Before Kiser came to SLU, he ran his own business selling hardwood. He later switched careers to became the head of the bike patrol at Washington University. There, he worked night shifts patrolling off-campus housing near the Delmar Loop.

After realizing that as long as he was at Wash. U he would be working nights, Kiser found a position at SLU on general patrol. He was later assigned to the Cupples House, which he described as a “pleasant place to be.”

“I really like it here [at the Cupples House],” he said. “There’s always something [going on] here.”

Kiser not only serves as security, but can also be found informally leading tours, he said.

Although not an official duty in his job description, Kiser is knowledgeable about the house and its history.

“Over time, I’ve heard so many tours and stories,” he said. “Some of them finally stuck!”

Sophomore Sarah Burmann, a student worker at the house, said that Kiser goes above and beyond the security position by assisting visitors on a regular basis.

“Paul knows the majority of the history,” Burmann said. “If there’s a question I can’t answer, he knows everything.”

When he’s not on duty, Kiser said that he enjoys keeping physically active. He started running about a year ago after a physical evaluation warning from DPS.

“What started it all was last year when they told us we’d have to take physical fitness tests,” he said. “I knew I’d do OK with the other things, like jumping over the smaller walls, but I worried about the running.”

A native to St. Louis, Kiser spends time with his family when not working. His wife works at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and his son works as a carpenter, he said.

Neither his wife nor his son have ever visited inside the Cupples House, although his sister, who lives in Florida, has.
The best part of his job?

“I really like the house the best, and [I like] working with the customers and students,” Kiser said.

Burmann has been working with Kiser for approximately a year and a half, and said she appreciates his company during her shifts.

“He’s great to have around,” Burmann said. “If you’re ever bored, you just ask him about anything, and he’ll have a good story,”
?While walking through the enormous house, Kiser said that there is “always someone here to help; you’re never stuck.”