As the secretary in the Student Involvement Center for the past seven years, Cheryl Kaufman has a pretty good idea of the latest happenings on and around Saint Louis University’s campus. Whether it be the latest sorority formal or theater production at The Fabulous Fox, she stays informed.
A lifelong resident of Dupo, Ill., Kaufman makes the 30-minute drive every day to a job that she said loves, because she can interact with students, something that was less common when she was working in Residence Life for three years before moving to the involvement center.
“I love seeing students come in as freshmen and the changes they go through as they become seniors,” Kaufman said.
Kaufman’s smile and energetic demeanor may be known by all who meet her, but what many students are unaware of are the cross country trips taken with her husband and 12 other couples . on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Most recent was a 600-mile trip to New Orleans in July 2008. Kaufman wouldn’t recommend making a trip during the unbearable heat of summer; however, she still described the trip as, “a blast.” Never having been to New Orleans before, Kaufman and the other couples spent three days sightseeing before heading back.
“We [Kaufman and her husband, Richard] were always motorcycle people,” Kaufman said.
Growing up together in a small town, Kaufman and her husband occupied themselves playing tag on motorcycles. As childhood neighbors, Kaufman feels as if she and her husband are soulmates. However, she didn’t always feel that way.
“[Richard] pursued me, but I played hard to get,” Kaufman said. “Eventually I slowed down because he caught me.”
With the birth of their son, Kevin, she was forced to take a short break from living the two-wheeled life. Kaufman and her husband opted for a jeep so that they could still have that “wind in their hair” feeling. It wasn’t until their son’s 20th birthday that the Kaufman’s took up their passion again.
Prior to New Orleans, Kaufman rode 700 miles to South Dakota in 2004. Many famous landmarks made the list during this eight-day trip, including Mount Rushmore, Needles Highway and Badlands.
“It’s neat to see the motorcycles in formation as you’re going down the highway,” Kaufman said. “You get such a good response. People are always really friendly and ask about your bike.”
When she isn’t off exploring the nation on two wheels, Kaufman loves scrapbooking, crocheting and playing with her dog, Maggie, and cat, Pumpkin. In addition, she plays the role of a parental figure to many students at their home away from home.
“It gives me self-gratification knowing that they actually look up to me that way,” Kaufman said. “It makes my heart smile.”
With her matching purple nails and shirt and her cross-country trips on her Harley motorcycle, Kaufman is without a doubt the coolest stand-in mom any student could ask for.
