Hasbrouck A Student’s Extended Family
Video by Kevin Paige.
BY CHARLENE V. MARTONI
A
lton Campbell— Hasbrouck employee by day; graphic novelist by night. He disguises himself with a blue or orange shirt and a matching visor. He quietly serves students some salad, and refreshes the cheese by the panini machines. But when he goes home, he enters into a new world—a post-apocalyptic world—where a hero with super-human powers is desperately needed. “No, really, actual super-human powers,” he
employee uniform, there is a person. Students may not realize it, but they encounter people like Campbell every day: paintball fanatics, first generation immigrants, motor hobbyists, and the list continues. “I always wondered about the lives
Photo by Charlene V. Martoni
“I always wondered about the lives of these people, considering I see them every day.” —Jennifer Axman, second-year art education major
clarifies. Behind every Hasbrouck meal a student eats, there are numerous employees. But underneath every Photo by Charlene V. Martoni
Jennifer Axman, second-year art education major, enjoys a bowl of cereal at Hasbrouck Dining Hall.
of these people, considering I see them many of them were students,” she says. every day,” explains Jennifer Axman, About 40 percent of the dining hall’s a second-year student majoring in art employees are students, according to education. “I didn’t even know so Nancy Feldsine, director of resident dining. “The remaining employees must have substantial experience and knowledge of the food service industry,” she indicates. Feldsine is a familiar face in the hall. Initially, students recognize her business attire and conferencing assembly. However, students are unaware that Feldsine’s father was a stamp collector. His hobby gave Feldsine the opportunity to travel at a very young age. “I’ve been to almost every place in the world, excluding China and South America,”
Students construct paninis at the sandwich station in Hasbrouck Dining Hall.
she says, “Though I took it for granted as a child, this has helped me to excel in our diverse environment here at the hall.” Hasbrouck Dining Hall does have a very diverse community, from customers to employees. Lee Wright, full-time pizza chef, expresses how the diversity of the Hasbrouck community has helped him grow as an employee of America. “I’m actually learning eight other languages right now, including Arabic, Turkish, Talago-Indian, and
Full-Time
Employee Benefits • Medical Benefits • Dental Plan • Vision Plan • Disability • Life Insurance • Flexible Spending Accounts-HCSA/FCSA • 401(k) Retirement and Savings Program • Employee Stock Purchase Plan • Savings Bonds • Credit Union Direct • Deposit • Vacation • Sick Leave • Other Time Off • Lifeworks • Tuition Reimbursement • Service Awards • Employee Discounts (As according to the Sodexo™ website.)
Photo by Charlene V. Martoni Japanese,” says Wright. Some Hasbrouck workers can also be seen performing in the New Paltz residence halls. Patricia Cronin, an elementary education major, performs with SUNY New Paltz’s Absolute Acapella team in her spare time. “I just watched them in Crispell Hall the other night!” exclaims Axman, “They’re really good.” Maxwell Fuller, pizza cook and safety coordinator at the dining hall, likes the opportunities that come with being a Sodexo employee. “It offers a good ‘going back to school program,’ and tuition reimbursement,” he says. With these supporting opportunities, Fuller plans to work toward his goal of becoming a minister. “I just want to love the lord and keep on living,” he says, as he leans over the pizza counter waiting for his last pie to Hasbrouck Dining Hall proudly displays photographs of finish cooking in the oven behind its employees on the wall by its main entrance. him. “Students always come in and share Above all, Feldsine expresses her their stories on Saturday mornings,” she deep gratitude to Darold Thompson, says, “It keeps my spirits up.” and his nack for interacting with the Feldsine asserts that the most valuable students. When one writes a comment aspect of her employees is their kindred on a card and pins it up to the tack board, Thompson replies with his witty community formed at work. humor. “He’s such a cool guy,” confirms Kimberly Shannon, second-year creative writing major. “I love Rosie!” states Sarah Wintman,
“It offers a good ‘going back to school program,’ and tuition reimbursement, which helps a lot.”
—Maxwell Fuller, pizza cook and safety coordinator
third-year psychology major, “She’s so nice.” Rosie Resavento, cashier, was adopted at age three. She really enjoys her Hasbrouck family life, and her connection with the employees and students.
“We’re like a little family even though we fight all the time,” she says, “It’s nice to be around a group of people who are having such a good time in life.”