On our SNU campus, we have many different student-workers and faculty. However, it can be easy to forget about some of the heroes that work for us. In this article, we are going to highlight one of these amazing, hardworking people!
The cafeteria is a place where most students go to get their daily food for the day. It can often be very busy, and the lines can get pretty long. Luckily, we have individuals who know their way around and can work the cafeteria like nobody’s business! One of these people is Karen Cook, who you might know as Care Bear. She works the floor, registers, and serves, claiming to be a jack of all trades and a master of none. She first heard about SNU from Ms. Rene, another worker at the cafeteria. Rene introduced the job to her and convinced her to join when Karen was working at Braum’s
. She’s been working at SNU for four years now. As a freshman, it can come as a surprise, but for seniors, it’s sure to be nostalgic for them. She mentioned how the seniors that she first met working here would be graduating this year, and how it’s both a good and sad thing.
When asked what her favorite part of the job was, Karen said, “All the children–that’s what keeps me coming back. I love seeing their smiling faces, hearing about their achievements, and hearing how their day is going. If they’re not having a good day, I like to help… they make me have a good day.” Her favorite memory from working at SNU is when she got to see Stormy come up to the cafeteria to eat.
She works in the cafeteria Monday through Friday, from nine to four pm. In her free time, she likes to sing, go to church, take her boys to the park, and visit her mom. She wants students to know that she enjoys her job. It’s not easy at her age, but she likes doing it nonetheless.
Many students had something to say about Ms. Karen. Julia Lopez, a freshman majoring in pastoral ministry, stated, “She’s so sweet! She always smiles. When you’re having a bad day, she makes you happy, and she slays!” Taylor Robinson, a junior majoring in English, commented, “She’s pleasant and makes good conversation. Overall, a sunny lady.”
If you see Ms. Karen (aka Care Bear) in the cafeteria this week, then be sure to tell her how much you appreciate her and the rest of the staff who show up diligently to serve you and the rest of the SNU community!
Photos by Amira Cooper-Stennis