Though Taylor’s residence halls are diverse in many ways, their respective front desks and the community they help foster is the same.
Front desk workers and managers are tasked with keeping inventory stocked, selling snacks to students and distributing packages. However, their roles in the dorms are more than meets the eye.
The front desk is often the first location within residence halls that students see upon entry. This provides workers with the unique opportunity to welcome students to their campus home.
Several front desk workers appreciate the chance to interact with students.
“(The front desk) is a spot where a lot of people walk by every day,” Landry Woolever, a senior biology major and front desk worker at Samuel Morris Hall, said. “It’s a nice chance to just see people check in as well as serve them in small ways, such as getting their mail or getting them a snack.”
Woolever appreciates the variety of people who hang around the front desk. Some students stay to play games such as euchre and chess while others come to do homework and chat.
Other front desk workers also appreciate the many kinds of people who stop by to visit.
“No matter what walk of life people are on, you can still find a way to make them smile,” Jordan Happ, a sophomore art major and front desk worker at Bergwall Hall, said.
Happ enjoys getting to meet students she likely would not have interacted with if she did not work at the desk. She also loves to brighten people’s days by complimenting them or simply giving them a quick smile.
Workers such as Happ understand that people stopping by may have had a difficult day. This inspires her to treat everyone with kindness as they visit, she said.
Reese Williams, a sophomore film and media arts major and front desk worker at Breuninger Hall, recognizes how important it is to feel loved by your community.
“I think God knows the words that someone needs to hear,” Williams said. “I let the conversations flow and let people open up. I try to make a welcoming space for people to come and dump their problems or celebrate their wins.”
Williams does not shy away from difficult conversations while on her shifts at the Breu front desk. She appreciates getting the opportunity to speak life into those around her.
One of Williams’ favorite parts of her job is getting to foster a genuine sense of community in her lobby.
“God created us to be social beings, that’s why we need…to have community with Christians,” Williams said.
Williams has a unique method of initiating social interactions while on her shift. She brings a Nerf gun and shoots darts at residents as they walk through the door.
She understands that not everyone appreciates the Nerf gun greeting, so she occasionally tosses handmade crochet animals at people instead. The thought process behind these welcomes is the same.
“It was a lot about breaking rigid routines and snapping people out of their stupor,” Williams said. “Some people got really excited and would run downstairs and grab their own Nerf guns. Some would duck behind sofas and do rolls. I thought it was really fun.”
Woolever also likes to be intentional when welcoming students into Sammy. While his greetings are not as surprising as Williams’, he still finds a way to invest in the lives of his peers.
Although Woolever knows that some visitors will only stop for a brief moment, he believes that even a 15 second interaction can be meaningful.
“A personal touch I like to add is…to try to simply ask (people) how their day is going,” Woolever said. “It’s something that’s a small gesture, but it shows people that other people are interested in them and actually care.”
Happ, Woolever and Williams have seen how their attitudes at the front desk can shape the atmosphere in their lobbies.
During their shifts, they work to create a welcoming environment where people feel comfortable spending time with unfamiliar faces.
“If you see people hanging out (at the front desk) and you’ve never hung out with them before…go for it,” Happ said. “All you have to do is pull up a chair, and you may make friends for life.”
