Holston dedicates 30 years to LV
Campus Times
May 9, 2003
Rosa Holston has been working for food services at the University
of La Verne for 30 years. When she is not greeting students at Davenport,
Holston spends her time walking for exercise or attending Emanuel Baptist
Church in San Dimas.
She is the first person to greet you as you walk into Davenport, the
University of La Verne's dining hall, and often the last person you see
as you walk out. Rosa Holston has watched students trickle in and out of
Davenport for 30 years and has also seen the ULV community blossom and grow.
Colleagues describe her as a hard worker and an overall wonderful person.
"She is very professional and fair," Administrative assistant,
Mary Whitten, said,
As a reward for her 30 years of valuable service, Holston received a
certificate along with a gold ring that she now happily wears on her right
hand.
"These past 30 years have been great to me," said Holston
as she reminisced about her time at ULV. "It is a really pleasant place
to come to everyday."
She smiles and shakes her head as she recalls a few moments that stand
out in her mind about working in Davenport.
"I remember one morning years ago, I came into work to find a huge
frog floating up in the juice dispenser," said Holston.
And if that is not more information than any Davenport regular wanted
to know, she also recalls an instance when she opened up the cash box and
was shocked to see large black spiders crawling around.
"And of course the box went flying into the air along with all
the money," said Hoffman jokingly.
Before becoming one of the best known faces on campus, Holston worked
at a nearby convalescent home. It was through a neighbor of hers that she
first learned of the University's job opening.
Since then, Holston has not only seen changes in the thousands of different
faces that have entered the dining hall over the years, but she has also
witnessed changes in the dining hall itself.
"I have always enjoyed the staff and management. We have a lot
of respect for each other and we get along great, but this year I have to
say that Davenport is a lot more professional and its appearance is much
nicer," said Holston.
Holston says she really enjoys the students that come through the doors
of Davenport. "Some are really funny and friendly," she said.
"But everyone has to implement the rules. The rules come from above
me but it is my job to see that they are followed."
"She always remembers a student's face," said Julie Sanchez-Alvarez,
a first year communications major.
As a mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother she enjoys spending
time with her family who she says keeps her quite busy.
"I also enjoy walking and I am very involved with my church. I
am an usher, president of the Pastor's Choir and I also work with the commission."
In the future, Holston looks forward to traveling a lot more. She has
visited the Bahamas and has been various places across the United States
including Florida where much of her family resides.
"I really want to travel to places I've never been to," said
Holston, "but once I retire of course."
Until then, it will be business as usual for Holston.
