The majority of Saint Louis University students have encountered this Griesedieck cafeteria staff member. She greets everyone with a smile and a swipe-that is, if you have enough meals left. This dedicated lady is known as Velma.Velma Harvey has been working for SLU for the past 30 years. She notes with a smile, “It will be 31 years in October.” Velma has always worked in Griesedieck, except for three years when she was positioned in Lewis Hall, now known as Reinert Hall. She admits that she enjoys working in Griesedieck the most.Velma’s usual day consists of swiping ID cards, washing dirty tables, keeping the soda stocked and bringing out the jelly and other condiments in the morning. When asked what she likes most about working in food services, she said, “I like it all.”Velma enjoys seeing the freshmen start in August and watching them progress throughout the year. She finds their adjustment to the college experience interesting, stating, “You can really see them change.”Velma hails from Farmington, a small town in Illinois. Before residing in Missouri, she lived in New Mexico for a year and a half. She has lived in St. Louis since 1950.Velma is the mother of two chidren, a son and a daughter. She also has four grandchildren. Her youngest, Anna, is 3 and spends many weekends and most of the summer with her. The other three grandchildren are grown and live in St. Louis.In her spare time, Velma, a St. Louis Cardinals fan, enjoys watching ball games, reading and taking care of her dog, Mitzy.Looking back on her years in Griesedieck, she remembers some fun times in the cafeteria. Velma reminisces about how everyone used to dress up for Halloween. Unfortunately, they have not had the costume parties in the past few years.Griesedieck Hall used to house only male students who would live in the dorm for all four years. “That is when I knew everyone’s name by heart,” Velma said. Since there are more dorms now and more students visit Griesedieck for a meal, it is harder to get to know everyone’s name. The food is “just as good” as it was many years ago, Velma said, but there is more variety.Frances McMillan, another Griesedieck dining hall staff member, has known Velma for decades. They met in their old neighborhood and started walking to work together. Life took them in two different directions, but they settled in the same area years later. Since then, these two women ride the bus together to work, Monday through Friday.After the main breakfast rush passes through, Velma eats her favorite meal-breakfast. Velma smiles and says, “Yeah, I like it . It keeps me pretty chunky.”Velma is looking forward to the summer, as she plans to travel to Arizona with her family and see the Grand Canyon. She enjoys traveling, especially in the West and Pacific Northwest regions.Velma has seen the many faces and changes at the University, and her dedication is demonstrated by her many years spent in SLU’s cafeterias. Velma says she loves her job and is eager for many more years with SLU.