Take time to appreciate employees

“Thank you,” I hear a girl dressed in sweats and a T-shirt say to the bus driver as we hurry off, almost late for class this morning. Hearing her brief words, I am reminded that I should echo my thanks as well. Despite the stress I am feeling about my upcoming midterm, it takes only about five seconds more for me to say thank you and ask about how he was doing this morning, and for those brief moments, during the exchange we had, I almost forgot my own troubles.

This is employee appreciation week. Hopefully you have seen the bridge that has been painted or the flyers that simply say, “Thank you.” Hopefully you stop and wonder what this is all about. Hopefully, you too, will take a moment, strike up a conversation, and reach out to a part of our community that is too often forgotten.

Throughout the week there will be events, like the East and West Campus student employee picnics and bus driver appreciation day, but beyond these things, this week is about something more. It is about realizing that in this wonderful place where we live and where we learn, we have a community, which is as deep as it is wide. It is a place where each person, regardless of title, plays an integral role in the life and success of our little Gothic Wonderland.

So, take that moment to look out instead of remaining in, to voice your appreciation of so many individuals who help to make our lives better.

Mel Baars

Trinity ’05