by Malem Gutema

The first time I walked into the memorial union was the first day I spent a day in Corvallis.  My parents and I were becoming acquainted with the campus, when one structure caught my eyes, the MU.  It was different than any of the other buildings I saw on campus with its great elegance artistic features.  It had created an inviting atmosphere so students and the general public were easily drawn to it.

As I walked into the building through the entrance facing the Milam building, I was taken aback by the great ingenious works that were displayed on my left and right that complimented the great marble stairs.  I got familiarized with what the building had to offer soon enough, the building become a place where I go to relax, study and often times grab something to eat in between classes.  I was often found sleeping on the couches that can be found in the main lounge of just enjoying the piano music played while I a studying.

The various facilities the memorial union had to offer the students was something I admired, and what motivated me to apply for the information desk staff position and I was grateful to get it.  I love my job since it gives me a chance to work with people.  I enjoy the fact that our goal as an organization is to serve people the best we can.  By working at the information desk window, providing high services and fulfilling the receptionist tasks and answering the main phone line helps me represent MU.  In some instances, I have been the first contact person for the university since the MU in the first place a lot of visitors and prospective students come to.

Since I joined the info desk staff at the business office, I am more aware of the various recourses and fun things to do at the MU and campus.  I have had a chance to work with amazing student worker like myself and attend many cultural event that happen throughout the year.  MU has helped me develop my interpersonal, communication, and problem solving skills.

I remember a time when my friend and I were sitting on one of the couches in the main lounge and wondering how many people might have sat at the same place on the same couch more than 75 years ago.  How many students were enjoying the beautiful scenery of the quad looking out of the balconies during spring term?  The building has so much sense of history and classic beauty that is very hard to replace since it was created and maintained by the various people that come in and out of the building.  I know that by working at the MU, I am part of the history making and even after I graduate I will come back to the building and appreciate what it contributed to my college experience.