Astrid is the friendliest worker in our university's dining center, Real Food on Campus. She has worked for Pacific for over five years, and has made a positive difference for multiple students whether she realizes it or not. She says hi to every student who goes through her line with a cheery “Hey hon how you doing”. Astrid truly asks the question and wants to hear the answer that each students give. She remembers students names and if a student says hi to her first, you can see her eyes light up and a bright smile come across her face. Many bad days students have are made brighter, even by just a little, when Astrid smiles and gives you a hug.

Like many dining services workers, Astrid works long hours in a thankless job. She often must wake up at four in the morning, go to work, and works a shift that does not end until much later in the day. And she must do this several days in a row, which is exhausting. When you ask, she'll say she's tired, but Astrid continues to smile. However, it was in April that Astrid wasn't wearing her smile as often. Students began to notice the long hours showing on Astrid's face and many asked her if there was anything wrong. Astrid shared that one of her daughters was in the hospital and had been for a few days. Astrid's normally sunny face was replaced with teary eyes and a heartbreaking smile as she said she was at work because she couldn't do anything more for her daughter. However, after a quick wipe of her eyes, she put on a smile and went back to work. She continued to smile, joke, and talk with students as they got food showing her strength and dedication to others.

Astrid does so much for the students of Pacific University when they go to get meals. After eating in the dining center for a while, one gets tired of the food. But being on a meal plan many students don't have the option of getting other food. But it is the people who work in the dining center who make the food worthwhile. They provide the personality, the life, and the love behind the food. Astrid is one such person who brings more life to the dining center. When new foods are served, one can always go to Astrid to get her honest opinion of whether or not to try it. Food is not just food. Food provides comfort, nutrition, and something to bond over. Astrid has bonded with many students that makes people care not only about the food, but also those who are serving it. In April especially, Astrid provides that comfort that many students need by seeing a friendly face after a hard day of classes as finals are approaching. Astrid makes the dining at Pacific truly feel like a family and without a doubt I can say that Pacific is lucky to have her.

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