As the first chicken nuggets and waffle fries are dropped into the deep fryer every morning, Ms. Carolyn Green arrives for her daily shift in the Evans Student Center. As usual, she has a smile on her face, stopping to talk to everyone that she knows. But, her smile doesn’t just stop after the morning is over. Even at 5:45 p.m. when she finishes her shift, she leaves with the same million-dollar grin she had when she arrived.
For many on campus, Carolyn Green, or as many lovingly call her, “Ms. Carolyn,” has been a positive impact on their lives. She’s been known to greet everyone with a smile, and has been rumored to sing orders back to people. But what makes Green so special is her unwavering joy and caring spirit.
Green grew up like many others in a great home with a wonderful family.
“I had a great childhood,” Green said. “It was my sister and I. We were a happy normal family.”
In ninth grade, Green moved from sunny California to Arkadelphia when her father decided to open a new glass shop within the city limits.
“My father decided to open up a new shop here in Arkadelphia,” Green said. “Arkadelphia didn’t have a glass shop previous to that, so he opened the first ever glass shop in Arkadelphia. When we moved here, I immediately fell in love with the place.”
Green worked extensively in the cosmetic business for over 13 years before joining Sodexo. She decided to settle down in Arkadelphia after many years of working with different people in cosmetics.
That makes Green so interesting is her ability to connect with different people.
“My mother has scoliosis,” Green said. “I have to help her shop and she has to go to dialysis three times a week. My life is so busy!”
Yet, even with so much to stress over, Green continually is happy about life and loves to share joy that with others. After working in cosmetics for years, Green says that her job with Sodexo is a rewarding way for her to work.
“I love being around the college students,” Green said. “They are so nice and really great people. I really enjoy each and every person that comes through my line on a day-to-day basis.”
Green talked extensively about how satisfying her job is. She said that the job gives her an opportunity to hang out with all different types of people and to develop some unique friendships.
“You start to recognize people in the line and you get to talk with them,” Green said. “I can honestly say that some of them are truly my friends and it brightens my day to see them.”
And many students would say the same thing about her. In fact, most of the Ouachita campus can tell you a positive story about her, including senior Ryan Strebeck.
“It’s impossible to be sad around her,” Strebeck said. “No matter what you are going through or what stress you have, she’s always there with a smile or a joke to brighten your day.”
Senior Buck Schroeder also discussed how much of a difference she makes on the campus by just having a smile.
“She is always happy and cheerful and I’m always happy to see her when I go to Chick,” Schroeder said. “She’s one of those unique people that make Ouachita special.”
In fact, last year Green was awarded the national “Spirit of Sodexo” award. The award, according to George Chavel, president and CEO of Sodexo North America, is “to recognize Sodexo employees who go above and beyond the call of duty to represent Sodexo in a positive way in the community.”
And while she will never say it, most on Ouachita’s campus will agree that there aren’t many people in the country that deserve this award as much as Green did.
“I was honored,” Green said. “It’s so humbling to have been nominated by Ouachita and to have such support from everyone here. I just love what I do so much.”
For a girl that works behind the scenes with a smile on her face, Green says that she has been overwhelmed from the love and support she gets from everyone in the Ouachita family.
Green is one of those people that really makes Ouachita special. Her endearing smile and love for every student that she serves through the cashier line in the student center sets her apart as one of the most genuine and loving people on this campus.
Ms. Carolyn is like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day,” said junior Dylan Haney. “She is always ready with a smile on her face and a compliment prepared to make sure you have an enjoyable lunch experience. Ouachita wouldn’t be the same without her.”
