Hilda Mysliwiec: Lawrence staff of the month

Claire Weiss

The Iota chapter of Mortar Board at Lawrence University is part of a national honor society for college seniors. This year, Lawrence’s Mortar Board chapter has started a program in which we recognize one outstanding Lawrence staff member each month.The Lawrence University staff member of the month for January is Hilda Mysliwiec. Mysliwiec is employed by Dining Services, and she has worked at Lawrence for many years. Originally from Poland, she came to the United States about 20 years ago.
When Mysliwiec’s daughter was visiting Lawrence she received a job application to work on campus, and Mysliwiec said that she wanted an application as well. The university called her two years later to inform her that she had gotten that job, and she has been working at Lawrence ever since.
Mysliwiec looks back fondly on the circumstances that led her to her current job, remarking that it was “kind of funny” how she got the job.
She said that her favorite part of the job is talking to students. “I have gotten to know some of them pretty well through the years,” she explained.
Although many students know Mysliwiec from her task of swiping students in for meals, she contributes to Downer in many other ways as well. For example, she is in charge of all of the decorations that adorn the dining rooms and the painting choices as well.
Mysliwiec’s coworkers admire her and enjoy working with her. April Mancl, the supervisor at Downer Commons, says that she admires Mysliwiec most for her “strong value of family,” since many of her family members still live in Poland and Mysliwiec always makes an effort to keep in touch.
Mancl also enjoys working with Mysliwiec due to her willingness to “jump in and help whenever and wherever it is necessary.”
The entire chapter of Lawrence’s Mortar Board would like to congratulate Mysliwiec and acknowledge her for all of the hard work she has done for Lawrence University. Students really enjoy seeing a friendly, smiling face as they walk into Downer, so thank you Hilda!