Published: May 05, 2008 08:05 pm         

Concord honors long-time dining hall ‘fixture’ Alvis

ATHENS, W.Va. — The woman who has counseled, joked with and occasionally scolded students for 50 years at Concord University had her name put permanently on her workplace Monday afternoon.

Elisabeth “Libby” Alvis began working at the institution in 1957, and for a generation now has been cashier and a floor manager of the dining hall in the Student Center, and the unofficial counselor and stand-in mother of thousands of students.

By action of the university’s board of governors, that dining facility now carries her name. That was celebrated at a reception attended by about 80 people on Monday.

“I love my job,” Alvis said. “My husband used to say if you love your job that’s half the battle. ... I love to see the kids.”

Alvis had difficulty coping with the death of her husband Bob. A native of Hungary, she grew up in Germany and had to learn English on her own after moving to Athens with her new husband in 1953.

And she is now preparing for another bout of chemotherapy to continue battling cancer.

“She’s had an interesting life,” said retired co-worker Nancy Belcher. “She has overcome hardship and adversity — and still is.”

Alvis’s son Randy said that his mother found out about the dining hall being named for her, she was about to begin a cancer treatment. “We think this has helped her get through some of those tough times,” he said.

Student government president Jessica Cook said, “Libby has been a cornerstone of the Concord community for so long, we have taken her for granted. ... You will always have the eternal gratitude of the students as well.”

Concord president Jerry Beasley said that when he comes to the cafeteria and sees Alvis, “I know I’m going to have my spirit boosted when I come here. ... It’s a reminder to us of what’s really important — that we put hands on the shoulders of our students, and tell them that they matter.”

Alvis has made the dining hall “like a home to countless numbers of students,” Beasley said.

Marshall Campbell, director of the student center, said, “Each and every day her greatness has come through in the way that she has treated us and treated every student. The true mark of greatness is how you treat people each and every day.”

Randy Keaton, director of ARAMARK Food Service on campus, praised Alvis’s work ethic and surprised her by announcing that she will be the guest of honor this summer at his company’s regional meeting.

Joseph F. Marsh, president of Concord from 1959-73, attended Monday’s reception and said he was “absolutely delighted” when he heard about Alvis’s honor. “She’s a fixture,” he said. “Anyone who’s served Concord for over 50 years needs to have something done for her.”



Tom Bone writes for the Bluefield (W.Va.) Daily Telegraph.