Last week, Marquette University celebrated Student Employment Appreciation Week as part of National Student Employment Appreciation Week.
“We appreciate student employees 365 days of the year,” Eric Wolffersdorff, student employment manager, said.
April 12 through April 18, however, provided the university an opportunity to highlight how important student employee roles are to everyone at Marquette, Wolffersdorff said.
Throughout the week, various celebratory events were held for students. Free bowling at the Annex, an annual game-themed event, a “thank you” message outside Varsity Theatre and 25% off at the Marquette Spirit Shop were all ways Marquette showed gratitude to its student employees.
There were also various prizes involved with the games, including signed basketballs from the men’s and women’s basketball teams, a 50-minute massage and an office chair.
The events and prizes were made possible because of donations made by departments and supervisors. A committee made up of about 10 volunteers from Marquette’s staff assist in coordinating the week each year.
“[The volunteers] want to share their love,” Wolffersdorff said. “It’s just cool that they’re taking time out of their lives and busy schedules to make this a priority.”
Outside of these organized efforts, Wolffersdorff said it’s powerful when students receive thanks directly from the departments or offices they work in. Departments were encouraged to go one step further during the week to show appreciation.
For one particular student, there was even a surprise department party.
Each year, several Marquette students are nominated by supervisors for the Student Employee of the Year Award. This year’s recipient was Victoria Tatum, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences. Tatum works as a student director for event logistics of major university events like SPARK and orientation week, as well as an office assistant for the Office of Student Development.
The volunteer committee, who works closely with Wolffersdorff, accepts nominations usually starting in December. They read and evaluate letters based on a rubric, which contains categories like leadership, impact on belonging, innovation and community service.
Wolffersdorff visited Tatum during her shift last Friday afternoon, where all of her supervisors also congregated.
Seeing everyone from the separate offices she works at join to celebrate her accomplishment made her feel supported and allowed her to visualize the impact she had on the office, Tatum said.
“It made me feel blessed that the work I did was important enough to deserve the award,” she said.
Nyima Khasse, a sophomore in the College of Health Sciences and student director of new student programs, said she feels thankful to have worked alongside Tatum.
“She is so dedicated, welcoming and determined in everything she does,” Khasse said in an email. “I can see how she puts 100% of her efforts in everything whether in office or elsewhere, and she inspires me and many others to put our best foot forward!”
Tatum highly recommended that students get involved with employment programs during their time in college and leave an impact on campus.
“Working at the Office of Student Development has been my favorite memory at Marquette,” she said.
This story was written by Elena Metinidis. She can be reached at [email protected].
