What do you do for Missouri State?

We cater almost 3,000 events a year.

I can’t be at every one, but my job is making sure we provide great customer service — that hot food’s hot, cold food’s cold, everything is set up on time and things are pleasing to the eye as well as the palate.

Favorite aspect of your job?

When we get to be creative and do fun events, especially if there’s a theme.

Anytime we can decorate or pull together a vision a client has, that makes it even more special, especially when you see guests walk in the room and their eyes light up or you hear them say “Oh wow.”

Favorite MSU moment or memory?

Any time I have the opportunity to work with university advancement staff on the Founders events, which are usually themed.

My favorite time was when Stephanie Smith said, “I just want everything to be round.” And that’s where I started.

So the decor and the food, everything was round, and it turned out to be really fun. We laughed a lot about it.

Fun fact or little-known fact about you?

I play the piano. I was also the first girl born in seven generations in my family.

Favorite quote or saying?

The most beautiful thing you can wear every day is a smile.

Earliest influence in your life?

My parents.

They’ve been a huge influence on me over the years, always reminding me to not judge others until I’ve walked a mile in their shoes and to be kind.

Best part about working for MSU?

The people and the friendships I’ve made in the last 23 years in my department and with the student employees.

It’s always fun to see them go on and do great things.

I hear from people from 15 years ago, and they’ll say, “You were the first boss I ever had,” and talk about their experience working for us.

If you could go back in time for one hour, who would you spend it with and what would you do?

It would be with my stepdaughter, Megan Harris.

She passed away from breast cancer about five years ago.

So, if I had one hour to go back in time, it would be to be with her and just sit with her and visit.

Three activities that make a perfect weekend for you:

Great food.

A trip to the movies.

Spending time with family.

Favorite season?

Fall.

Read the book or watch the movie?

Watch the movie.

Pick only one form of entertainment: Movies, TV, gaming or live music?

Live music.

Are you counting down the days until retirement or more likely to work 10 years past retirement?

It depends on the day (laughs). Probably work past retirement.

Best meal ever?

My daughter’s 21st birthday.

We were in Colorado, and my catering manager at the time prepared her a meal.

It was beef tenderloin, but it was cooked to perfection.

The sauces were perfect, all the sides, everything. He was a very talented chef.

Coffee, tea or other?

Coffee.

Sweet or savory?

Sweet.

Favorite food on campus?

Southwest egg rolls from the catering department.

Fill in the blank. Missouri State is:

Home.