Q: How long have you worked for Sodexo at the University of Idaho?
A: “I’ve been working here for 13 years now.”
Q: Have you lived in Moscow the whole time?
A: “No, I actually live in Pullman. I commute over here every day. I used to work for Washington State University and their food court, but I decided to transfer over here instead.”
Q: What makes you keep coming back?
A: “The students. I enjoy learning their names, and their stories and going to their events when they invite me. That’s how I started getting involved with athletic events on campus. Some of the players and athletes would ask me if I was going to their home games, and if I wasn’t working a late shift, I would.”
Q: What events do you usually go to?
A: “I go to the football games, soccer, volleyball, swim and diving events whenever I can. I’ve also started attending some of the music events around campus as well.”
Q: What makes UI a good place to work?
A: “It’s smaller here, and easier to get involved and familiar with faculty and students. They have a good community here not just at UI, but in Moscow. People here care about you not just because of your job, they’re interested in getting to know you.”
Q: Where did you work prior to UI?
A: “I’ve lived in Spokane, Pullman and grew up in a really small town called Mansfield, WA. I went to school in Whitworth and then worked at Gritman hospital for a while here in town. I thought about going back to school to become a dietician, but decided to get involved with the food industry on campuses instead, working at WSU and UI.”
Q: Do you have any family that lives here? Children, grandchildren?
A: “No I’m single. I didn’t have the opportunity to have kids, you might say.”
Q: You’re quite popular on campus and the students who come through the UI dining hall really like you I’d say you’re like a sort of grandmother away from home for them.”
A: “Yes, definitely. I guess you could say the students are my family.”
Q: Any life advice or anything you’ve learned over the years?
A: “Have a good outcome on life, do the best you can and take pride in your work. Get involved in different organizations, or church life because you can make good friends for life who can help you out along the years.”
Story by Dani Moore
Photos by Dani Moore
Design by Lindsay Trombly
Lacey Watkins
I am so excited to see Humans of Moscow. We live in an amazing community and spotlighting the kind, generous, hard working, and inspiring individuals in our community is a breath of fresh air!