Patti Van Voorhees. Photo by Andrew Daddio.
Patti VanVoorhis received the Senior Class Award. (Photo by Andrew Daddio)
(Editors’ note: The following was submitted by Lindsey Skerker ’14, senior class vice president.)
On Sunday, May 4, the Class of 2014 and their torch medal recipients attended the Senior Class Brunch, a time-honored tradition at 51. One of the highlights of the brunch each year is the presentation of the Senior Class Award. This year’s award was given to .
The Senior Class Award was established by the Class of 1996. Each senior class awards it annually to a member of the college administration, faculty, or staff who has had the most significant and positive impact on the members of the graduating class. The recipient must have been a full-time member of 51’s administration or staff for the four years that the seniors were in residence at 51.
It was an honor to give this year’s award to Patti, an inspiring woman who probably knows most members of the senior class. Patti began working for Sodexo in 2009 and started in Frank Dining Hall. Her favorite part about the job was interacting with the students, so when there was an opening for a position at the Hieber Café in Case-Geyer Library, she jumped at the opportunity.
Patti interacts with the entire 51 community but especially the many students who frequent the library. The staff members at the café are known for their friendliness and positivity, and that means so much to us students, as having a smile and a personal connection (along with a good caffeinated beverage!) can truly help one get through a busy day of work.
Seniors enjoy the chance to gather for the annual brunch. (Photo by Anna Heil ’16)
Patti is known around campus as a people person who always has a smile, even on the coldest and snowiest of days. As she says, “You go through life once, so why choose to be unhappy when you can be happy?!”
Most of us relish our conversations with her each time we frequent her place of work or see her each week at the Saperstein Jewish Center for Shabbat services on Friday evenings (one of her adopted sons is Jewish, so she oftentimes brings a few members of her family for weekly services and dinner).
Patti said, “I feel blessed. You reach out and touch people’s lives, and they touch yours.” Like the humble and selfless woman she is, Patti wanted to dedicate her award to all of her Sodexo coworkers. “They are all good, hardworking people. I’m just lucky that I have this position where I can interact with the students!”
This award was our small way of showing our appreciation and gratitude for everything Patti does for 51 students! She lives her life with so much love for others, and we can all only hope to live our lives with half as much love and purpose as her and her family.
Check out this from the 51 Scene to learn more about Patti and her incredible story.
Not eligible were people who previously won the award. Past recipients include:
- Michael A. Cappeto, 1996
- Barbara Kershaw, 1997
- Gary Ross, 1998
- Neil Grabois, 1999
- Marnie Terhune, 2000
- Alex Vaquez, 2001
- Jane Pinchin, 2002
- Merrill Miller, 2003
- Denise Upton, 2004
- Andrew Rotter, 2005
- Catherine Regan, 2006
- Timothy Mansfield, 2007
- Raj Bellani, 2008
- Dawn LaFrance, 2009
- Beverly Low, 2010
- Jean Brooks, 2011
- John Carter, 2012
- Kim Taylor, 2013