UNITY (AP) – After 25 years as a custodian at Unity College, Jimmy Hubbard took his final walk to work Tuesday. But this time, he didn’t have to hoof it alone.

More than 150 students, faculty and staff from the environmental college met the 66-year-old Hubbard at his home 2 miles from campus and escorted him to work to show their admiration and friendship, school officials said.

“It was an awesome turnout,” said Hubbard, but his followers just couldn’t keep up with his brisk pace.

“They kept telling me to slow down, and I was walking slow,” said Hubbard, who often covered the distance in 35 minutes or so walking alone.

During his 25 years at Unity, Hubbard has walked to and from work, rain or shine, blizzard or heat wave, missing very few days. That’s the equivalent of walking the entire Appalachian Trail 16 times.

Hubbard, who’s never owned a car or held a driver’s license, said he’s not about to stop walking.

in his retirement. But he’s likely to spend less time on the roadsides and more tending to his house and collection of farm animals.

He will be honored with a citation from the college at commencement ceremonies on Saturday for his upbeat disposition, kindness to students and staff and example he sets.

During his years at Unity, he marked the birthdays of other staff members by leaving cakes, gifts and balloons for them in their offices before they arrive.

Before going to work at Unity, Hubbard worked for 26 years on an area poultry farm.

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