With the tight-knit community at Merrimack College, it's almost impossible not to form relationships with the amazing faculty and staff members. So here's a tribute to some of the awesome people on campus that we should appreciate more!
1. The Campus Ministry Staff
Whether you're active in Campus Min or just happened to walk by the office on your way to drop off your (dreaded) Service Learning application, there is no denying that this is one of the friendliest places on campus. From priests, to campus ministers, to graduate fellows and student workers, we are lucky to have these people around our school. So make sure to sign up for M.O.R.E. with the lovable Rita at the front desk and enjoy all the wonderful things Merrimack's Campus Ministry department has to offer.
2. Sodexo Employees
Okay we get it, the food sucks. Sparky's might not always be our favorite dining option on campus, but some of our favorite staff members can be found here. A trip to Merrimack's infamous dining hall would not be complete without being greeted by Sheila as she effortlessly swipes your snapped-in-half, taped-together MackCard. And seriously, nothing beats dragging yourself out of bed on Sunday morning (or afternoon) and eating the only meal that Sparky's seems to consistently get right. Brunch made by Merrimack's legendary 'Manny the Omelette Guy' is the campus' best known cure for that hangover from Saturday night. Don't forget your side of home fries!
And of course it's not a trip to Sparky's without an encounter with the fan favorite... Den Debbie. This woman has a heart of gold and wants nothing more than for everyone to have a nice day (trust me, she'll tell ya). Debbie is never at a loss for words and is definitely not shy about interacting with the students.
3. Overnight Staff Members
These are the people who stay up through the night just so we are able to enjoy our school's amenities at any hour we please. We wouldn't have a 24-hour gym without the woman who sits at the desk overnight. And I can't say I would've passed finals last semester without the librarian who checks MackCards after midnight. And yes, the sound of beeping trucks may keep us up at 3 in the morning in the winter, but we appreciate the work of Physical Plant when we're able to park our cars in the Sak Lot the next morning.
4. RAs
Residence Life is arguably the most thankless job on campus. In all seriousness, these people are the ones responsible for our safety and well-being. Sure, we love our RAs when they tape up our new door tags, but they turn into the bad guy the second we fail room checks for that toaster we know we're not supposed to have. RAs have the difficult job of sometimes writing up their peers. We need to love and appreciate them anyway because in reality, they just want to make sure everyone makes it back to their twin XL beds in one piece on Friday night.
5. Auggie's Bartenders
If you're 21 or over at Merrimack, chances are that you spend your Thursday nights at Auggie's. The newly renovated and expanded pub now allows for even more students to come enjoy a cheap brew within the comfort of our own campus. These bartenders keep the drinks flowing until well after quiet hours on Thursday and there's even a pub menu available until 11 p.m. Seriously, what beats $3 drafts and some loaded potato skins?
6. Maintenance
These guys (quite literally) keep our campus from falling apart. From changing the batteries in the smoke detectors, to freeing students from being trapped in their own rooms (yes, it's happened), 5FIX is only a call away for most of our dorm-related dilemmas.
7. Weekend Den Workers
This article mentions a lot of those who work in the food services around campus, but quite honestly, they're so important to us because we're college kids who gotta eat. The weekend workers in The Den are your saviors when it's after midnight on Saturday and you and your friends just need some mozzarella sticks and a chicken tender wrap with curly fries.
8. The Guy in the MackCard Office
Whether you only met the guy during your awkward orientation headshot, or you're a frequent flyer in his office, 'The MackCard Guy' is always happy to print you out a new copy of your ID card.
9. The People Who Deliver Take-Out
Although these people don't directly work for Merrimack, I think most would agree that they are a vital part of our community. It's not a weekend without witnessing the Domino's delivery guys relay back and forth with our cherished cheesy bread and Cinna Stix. And I have yet to encounter a more kindhearted soul than the Golden Chopsticks lady. The woman and her minivan can literally be sighted on campus during snowstorms and she will always greet you with the warmest smile and wish blessings upon your family.
10. The Guys at the Post Office
And last but certainly not least. These guys are some of the friendliest people on campus and likely know more about you than just your online shopping habits. They always take the time to ask about what's going on in the lives of the students they're serving. At times, it can be hard to leave that post office window without being reminiscent of chats with your high school guidance counselor. These guys definitely embody that sense of community we rave about here at Merrimack.
