Nourishing and Nurturing Generations
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The more than 150 women and men who comprise the dedicated workforce of Hopkins Dining have nurtured generations of students, faculty, and staff, dishing up not only nourishing food but also plenty of encouragement and devotion to the JHU community, particularly students. “I love my job,” says Sarah Robinson, a 43-year veteran in Hopkins Dining. “I’ve loved everything I’ve done. I love the kids. We’ve had lots of fun. It’s a nice place to be and to work.”
Robinson says she has “done it all” for Hopkins Dining. “When I started, there was only Levering,” she explained, but by now she has worked in all the venues on the Homewood campus. She enjoyed cooking for seventeen years, then moved on to other positions, and is now a cashier in Nolan’s. She’s often on the job for twelve hours a day. “If people don’t show up, I fill in at the coffee station, or as a line server, or whatever needs to be done.”
Marie Wilson has filled many jobs on the Homewood campus since 1974. “I’ve been in the deli, the dish room, the stock room. I’ve worked for catering, as a line server, and now I’m a cashier. Hopkins has been good to me,” she says. Wilson wants students to feel that the university is their home away from home and enjoys engaging with them. “I treat them as if they were my own.” She likes talking with prospective students and their parents about the beautiful campus and assures them, ‘I’ll be here next year.’” Wilson appreciates the excellent health benefits Hopkins offers, as well as being part of a union.
Phyllis Prettyman began in catering and still enjoys serving at student dinners hosted by the dean of students in his home. Her primary responsibility now is working the register at the new taco station in Levering. Occasionally she will pick up a shift at Nolan’s, and students notice: “Miss Phyllis, you work everywhere!” Prettyman prizes being a team player and is impressed by how long some of her coworkers have been with Hopkins Dining. Together, she and her colleagues are welcoming and hardworking role models who demonstrate kindness and dedication every day as they provide fresh and healthy meals for all.