Miss Kathy Tovrea is a well-known figure among the student body. Any student, staff or faculty member that regularly eats in the Dining Common has been greeted with a smile from Aramark’s popular cashier. But how much do the students really know about the person they affectionately call “Miss Kathy?” The fast pace of college life prevents many from getting to know the people around us. Even someone we see every day.
The Collegian sat down with Miss Kathy to learn more about her.
Q: Where and when were you born? Do you have siblings?
A: I was born in Illinois in 1947, ages ago, and I have three siblings. Two are married and have kids, and I have a sister who lives with me, and we’re not married. We just enjoy the single life; do as we please, go as we please. I’m the oldest. I like that. They all say I’m bossy, but I don’t think I’m bossy.
Q: Where did you go to school growing up?
A: My father was never really satisfied anywhere, so he moved constantly. So, I went to a lot of different grade schools, and I mean a lot, mostly in Illinois and Virginia. Junior high and high school I only went to four different schools. Then I came here in 1966, and I never found a reason to leave.
Q: What was your major?
A: Elementary education with an English minor. I thought about being a librarian. I love libraries! I’ve always loved to read, and I love everything about books. I love to go to the library, and I don’t stop looking for new books to read until I can’t carry any more.
Q: When did you start working in the Dining Common?
A: I started working here as a student my junior year. I worked my junior and senior years and became a crew chief. Then they asked me to stay, and I thought it’d be for a couple years. And I’m still here. I started full-time the day after I graduated.
Q: What do you love about this job? What keeps you here?
A: I love the rapport with the students. I love knowing that I can be a blessing, or I can be an encouragement. I know there’s down days that y’all have, and it’s my goal to minister to the students. Until Aramark came in 2012, I worked more with food and computers. Then Aramark gave me the cash register job and it changed my whole life. It’s my favorite job I’ve ever had!
I love interacting with the students. I love to see people from all over the world come, and I enjoy meeting them and hearing about their lives and new places. I thrive on that. I’m stuck out here in the front, so they can’t ignore me very well!
Q: How did you become so awesome?
A: I’m not awesome! But God is awesome, and I know that He is working in me to do what He wants to do. God is all the awesomeness in me! He helps me learn your names. I am famous for my terrible memory. It always makes the students smile when I get their name right, and it makes them laugh if I get it wrong, I can’t lose.
Q: What church do you go to?
A: I go to a small church called Bible Baptist Church, and it’s on the other side of Travelers Rest. Until 12 years ago, I went to Hampton Park (Baptist Church), and I loved it, but I wanted a smaller church.
Q: What society were you in?
A: Theta Delta Omicron. The Tigers. I still try to buy their shirts. I tell them to let me know when they come out with a new shirt so I can buy one, but they always forget. I wish I could go to society every year at homecoming, but I’m always busy at 11 o’clock getting ready for lunch.
Q: Do you think you’re going to do this all the way up until you are 150?
A: I keep saying I’m going to stay here, at least until you graduate. I tell that to every student. Every year I tell that to the new freshmen, so theoretically I’ll be here perpetually. But I’m getting a little more tired than I used to be, so, I don’t know.
Q: Is there anything you would like to share with the campus community?
A: I love serving the students and serving the school. The school means a lot to me. The teachers are fantastic. It is a huge blessing to me that the student body’s love for the Lord and love for service is still as strong as it ever was, and you all can be proud of that.
