Giving Thanks to the 'Unsung Heroes' on Campus

Commentary Editor

   Usually I write a commentary about an event on campus, something happening in Arkansas or in the Nation, but I felt compelled to write about those who might not get a simple “thank you” for the work they do. Some people receive the thank yous and appreciation for their work, but I am talking about the “unsung heroes” of the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

   I am talking about professors, Public Safety officers, cafeteria workers, the maintenance workers, custodians and many more who take the time to teach us, protect us and make sure life on campus runs smoothly.

   Professors who often take time out of their busy schedule to help students with problems , papers and homework, when they might have a project of their own to work on. Many professors work with organizations in addition to their job in the classroom. I wonder how many professors hear a thank you for a lesson taught, the task of looking over a paper or giving a student a second chance to do better? I bet several students appreciate the chance they receive to learn from a voice of experience, but how many do not?

   Public Safety Officers patrol the campus everyday, and not to just give tickets. They make sure the students, faculty and staff are safe each and everyday on this campus.

   In a Voice article written by Sarah Pasterniak, the article identifies the standard duties of the officers such as patrolling campus, checking the parking lots for violations, locking and unlocking buildings and writing tickets for violations of the law. In addition to standard duties, Public Safety also assists the campus community through helpful services.

   The officers also “assist students by walking them from one location to another at night, unlocking students’ vehicles on campus and helping parents find their children.”   I feel safe on this campus because the work these officers do and the service they provide for the campus.

     For those who eat in the cafeteria, the job of feeding over 500 to a 1,000 or more people a day cannot be easy and pleasing everyone is not possible. Aramark works to listen to its patrons. The staff and student workers serve the campus daily. Thank you for providing “service with a smile.”

  As for the maintenance workers and custodians, the campus would not run as smoothly as it does without your work.  Your work to clean the buildings, maintain the grounds and other the other task no matter how large, small, messy or disgusting. Without you this campus would not look as good as it does.

   So, thank you all for your hard work on this campus. For those I might have forgotten, I thank you too for your work. UAM, like any organization, is like a clock with your work like the movement of the gears and cogs. Without you, the movement would cease to exist here and everywhere.

   I ask you, if you get the chance, to thank an "unsung hero" in your life like a teacher who helped you or anyone who has changed your life  and who might not know it.

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