Early risers greet students with smiles
Helene Bielak
Issue date: 10/22/09 Section: TruLife
While most students are still sleeping, some people take their courage in both hands to begin their usual early morning shift. Campus staff, as well as students, sacrifice some of their sleep every day to be at work on time.
At 81-years-old, Betty Bleithing is not afraid of morning shifts. Monday through Friday, students are welcomed by her typical "Good morning" greeting when they come to breakfast in the Centennial Hall cafeteria. At the checker machine since 2000, Bleithing has a long experience in the Truman community.
Bleithing said she started working at Truman in 1983 and worked as a cook for 21 years, before changing to her current position as a checker.
Every morning, Bleithing's alarm clock rings at 4:30 a.m., which gives her enough time to get prepared and drive from Brashear to Kirksville to be at work at 6 a.m.
Bleithing said waking up early is not a big deal for her because of the atmosphere in the cafeteria.
"I love my boss," Bleithing said. "I've worked with him for 15 years. He calls me his second mom."
She said that despite not remembering all of the students' names, Contact with students is also something she appreciates in her job. She said that she becomes really attached to some students and even visits them sometimes.
Bleithing is one of the oldest employees on Truman's campus, she said. However, as long as she stays in good health, she will show up every morning at 6 a.m.
"I will retire when it gets to the point that I don't think I can make it," Bleithing said. "I mean, if I cannot get up and come to work everyday. And when it gets to the point I don't enjoy [it] anymore, I'll quit."
A couple steps away from Bleithing, custodian Eldon Rouse is running the vacuum cleaner. Since 2001, he has come to work everyday to make Centennial Hall shine from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
"I get up at 5:20 every morning," he said. "Now it is like a schedule. I like sleeping on the weekend but most of the time my alarm clock in my head wakes me up early.
At 81-years-old, Betty Bleithing is not afraid of morning shifts. Monday through Friday, students are welcomed by her typical "Good morning" greeting when they come to breakfast in the Centennial Hall cafeteria. At the checker machine since 2000, Bleithing has a long experience in the Truman community.
Bleithing said she started working at Truman in 1983 and worked as a cook for 21 years, before changing to her current position as a checker.
Every morning, Bleithing's alarm clock rings at 4:30 a.m., which gives her enough time to get prepared and drive from Brashear to Kirksville to be at work at 6 a.m.
Bleithing said waking up early is not a big deal for her because of the atmosphere in the cafeteria.
"I love my boss," Bleithing said. "I've worked with him for 15 years. He calls me his second mom."
She said that despite not remembering all of the students' names, Contact with students is also something she appreciates in her job. She said that she becomes really attached to some students and even visits them sometimes.
Bleithing is one of the oldest employees on Truman's campus, she said. However, as long as she stays in good health, she will show up every morning at 6 a.m.
"I will retire when it gets to the point that I don't think I can make it," Bleithing said. "I mean, if I cannot get up and come to work everyday. And when it gets to the point I don't enjoy [it] anymore, I'll quit."
A couple steps away from Bleithing, custodian Eldon Rouse is running the vacuum cleaner. Since 2001, he has come to work everyday to make Centennial Hall shine from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
"I get up at 5:20 every morning," he said. "Now it is like a schedule. I like sleeping on the weekend but most of the time my alarm clock in my head wakes me up early.
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