• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_2009-08-20_Vol75_No11_13

Page 13 WESTERN CAROLINIAN August 20, 2009 FEATURES Sharing and Caring in the New Courtyard Dinning Hall - Getting to Know Jan OBrien By Danielle Lightner Staff Writer Taking the time to dine amidst the busy crowds can sometimes be a hassle in the midst of the rush of the day. However, there is one smiling face that you can see in the new Courtyard Dinning Hall that has been lifting the spirits of students for 20 years. Her name is Jan. _ Julia OBrien, or Jan, as students know her, has been an employee of Westerns dinning services for the past 20 years. Although Jan has been welcoming students into the cafeteria for two decades, she hasnt always been an employee of Western Carolina food services. Bom and raised in Washington D.C., Jan moved to Miami Beach, Florida where she worked as a bartender for 29 years. It was _ Sylva, North Carolina that she then chose as her place of retirement. _ Once in retirement, Jan realized that staying at home was not for her and that she needed to find a job. Jans decision to come work at Westerns dinning hall was a large change of pace and ended up being an un-expected joy. Jan says of coming to work for Westerns dinning services, I never felt like | would work at a place like this. You dont go from bartending to working with kids, but I love it. While Jan says that she loves her job, it isnt the work that keeps her coming back to her register, it is the kids. When referring to her most enjoyable part of working in the dining hall Jan says, The kids are great, I love the kids. 2 Ye Jan isnt the only one spreading loye in the cafeteria, as the students she loves serving in the dining hall also love seeing her smiling face waiting to greet them behind the register. One such student, senior Larry. Crawford enjoys nie presence in the cafeteria so much that he has created a Facebook fan group dedicated to her. Larrys facebook group is open to. all fans of Jan, and allows group Photo by Danielle Lightner essed b members | to post positive comments about Jan and the service she provides to Western _ students. Crawford says of Jan, I love Jan. She is always able to brighten up your day regardless mG Die of how bad it has _ been. According to Crawfords Facebook group, it is apparent that Jan has had an incomparable impact on the student body at Western. But just what is it about Jan that makes her students love going through her line in the dining hall? According to Crawford, the ability Jan has to remember student names is one that allows her to stand out as a campus employee while also allowing her to gain a personal relationship with the students who come through her line. Crawford says, I am always amazed that she learns just about every freshmans name within the first few months of school. When asked about her ability to remember student names, Jan says; I try, once I learn it I keep it up. Not only does Crawfords facebook group serve as a fan site for Jan, it is currently operating as a rallying group to enlist Jans fans to name the new cafeteria in her honor. Crawfords fan site description says, We all know that Jan is the most amazing food service employee at Western Carolina University, so why not name the new dining hall after her? Some of the names that have been suggested on Crawfords facebook group for the new cafeteria include, Jans Place, Janateria, or just simply Jan. When questioned on whether or not she was aware of the fan site created in her honor, Jan was unaware . but extremely _flattere ted. Tati said, These kids are malways coming up with something new. While it is apparent, according to Crawfords Facebook page that Western students love Jans presence in the cafeteria, it should not go unmentioned that the students are what keep Jan coming - back to her register day after day. It has recently been rumored ' on campus that Jan was planning on going into retirement and when questioned about her. possible departure Jan addressed the rumor using the as the reason for her staying. Jan said, I am going to try and work as long as I can. Being around the kids, While Jan does not plan on leaving her register anytime soon, adjustments will have to be made in the new cafeteria building in order to accommodate one of Jans favorite - activities...photography. Jan says, I have always taken pictures since Ive been here. Returning students can recall the | old Dodson Cafeteria building , behind her register and next to her bulletin board of student photos. Because of the layout of the - work Jan sitting downstairs in new cafeteria building, Jans photo wail will no longer be in existence. However, according to Jan, there is hope. Jan hopes to someday be - able to have a digital photo frame in | order to display student photos by her Courtyard Dining Hall register. Jan says, They might give I would love to see something like that. This fall, when you are rushing . between classes and needing a meal me something digital, break, take time to visit the Courtyard ,, Dining Hall where Jans students thats what makes me live anyways. | srline face will be there to welcome you... Also, in Jans famous words, : she will let us all remember when we visit Courtyard Dining Hall, Sharing is Caring. A Look at Greek Life at WCU By Shelby Harrell WC Intern Many WCU students who arent familiar with Greek Life probably assumes that being in a fraternity or sorority is just like being in a fancy club where all members wear matching secret letters. What they probably dont assume is the amount of passion and dedication that goes into becoming a Greek. They dont know that these clubs formed are really a lifelong bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood. And wearing these matching secret letters is a way of showing pride to their organization, which means the world to each Greek member. With that being said, there are many reasons to become Greek at Western Carolina University. Greek Life at WCU consists of 19 national fraternities and sororities that students are able to choose from. These eleven fraternities and eight sororities are all committed to the growth and success of their Greek Community. Still many students are quite unsure about the opportunities and benefits that being a part of Greek Life has to offer. Many find themselves doubting the experience simply because they arent well enough informed about it. The truth is, being a part of the Greek Community is an excellent opportunity to become involved with campus as well as form bonds of friendship that will last a lifetime. The bonds that are established are some of the most rewarding that an undergraduate student could experience at Western Carolina. Greek Life is divided between three different councils, each which consists of different chapters of organizations, and these chapters may apply to different rules and , requirements based on the council they are under, College Panhellenic Council (CPC) consists of the following five sororities: Alpha Xi Delta, Delta Zeta, Phi Mu, Alpha Gamma Delta, and Alpha Chi Omega. Fall 2009 Recruitment is scheduled to begin in early September for CPC, The council will be holding a Panhellenic Open House at 8 pm in the UC Grand Room on Wednesday, Sept. 2. If you are interested in being a part of the CPC sorority community, Open House is a great opportunity to become better acquainted with the women from each chapter, and for them to get to know you as well. Inter Fraternal Council (IFC) is made up of the following eight fraternities: Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Pi Lambda Phi, Kappa Sigma, Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Delta Sigma Phi. IFC will begin recruiting in mid-September where each fraternity will be hosting several interest parties for their chapter. Like CPCs Open House, These events are an opportunity to get to know the men from each fraternity and let them get to know you also. National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is made up of the following sororities and fraternitys: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, and Zeta Phi Beta. These organizations participate in membership intake in which they select, educate, and initiate their new members into a NPHC chapter. Each organization conducts intake at different times and will be holding separate informational meetings throughout the school year. If you would like to learn more about NPHC and its chapters at WCU, please attend Times of the Divine Nine taking place on Sept. 17 in the UC Multipurpose Room. All in all, If you are interested in becoming a part of Greek Life, there will be a seminar available entitled Greek Life. 101 | on Aug. 27, at 6:30 pm in the UC Multipurpose Room. There will also be plenty more information and the opportunity to meet some WCU Greeks at this upcoming Valley Ballyhoo. on Saturday, August 22 from 4:30-8pm. In an attempt to meet potential new members, the Greeks living at the Village on campus will be hosting a Village Palooza on Sunday Aug. 23, from 2- 5pm. This Palooza event will allow any interested person into all the sorority and fraternity houses to see the decorative home of each organization. It also offers the Greeks the opportunity to meet some potential new members and offer them a variety of information about their sorority/ fraternity. What most people do not know, is that all Greek Letter Organizations at WCU are built upon five basic values: Scholarship, Leadership, Community Service, Brotherhood/ Sisterhood, and Ritual. Scholarship: WCUs Greek Community reflects the universitys high level of scholastic achievement. Many Greeks get personal guidance in planning their curriculum and may even get assistance with registration and financial aid. Also, Greeks ate acknowledged for their academic successes through Greek scholarships and award programs and honor societies. Leadership: It is widely known that Greeks are some of the most involved and connected students on campus. The Greek community at WCU is known for producing student leaders for campus organizations, community groups and events, and chapters. There are also opportunities for leadership in chapter authority and chapter representatives or officers for councils groups. Community Service: A Large part of being Greek at WCU is dedicating time and energy to others, The Greek community is constantly giving back to the Jackson County community and its surrounding region. Throughout. the academic year, the combined Greek community at WCU contributes more community service and philanthropy hours than any other organization on campus. Greeks have participated in events such as: Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity, Childrens Miracle Network, March of Dimes, Community Table Soup Kitchen, TUCK River Clean-Up and many more. Brotherhood/Sisterhood: Being Greek also involves maintaining a good balance between academics and an active social life. To develop as a whole person, it is essential that you connect with people inside and outside of the classroom. Being \) a part of the Greek community , offers many social opportunities _ that can enrich your college life. , Friendship continues to be one of the most important social values of the Greek community. As a ; Greek you will learn to combine your own individuality with mutual suppott, cooperation and teamwork. Ritual: Ritual is the most important | aspect of a Greek man or womans experience. The bonds formed through a particular chapters ceremony are lifelong. Ritual is the set of guidelines set for each chapter, and every member of a > Greek Letter Organization should strive to live to their ritual not only every day they attend WCU, but for | the rest of their lives. All Greeks at WCU strongly encourage this experience, no matter which chapter a person may decide to become a part of. The experience of being Greek alone establishes a bond between every | member of Greek Life, despite the + fact that they all may wear different letters. Inthe end, Greek Life has so much to offer. It can be a life changing experience that can challenge and motivate you, preparing you for the future and offering opportunities > that help you grow as a person. If you are interested in Greek ~ Life at WCU and would like to know more, please look at http:// : gogreek.weu.edu, on Facebook or on Twitter. follow Greek Life at WCUGreeks

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 2009-08-20
• Extent
  • Dimension: 14" x 11.5"
  • Pages: 22
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
  • Western Carolina University -- Periodicals
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_2009-08-20_Vol75_No11
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library