Dining cashier has become a legend

She knows everyone's name without fail. To her, lost PennCards are no obstacle. She can even identify the mystery meat. And judging by her popularity, it seems like Hill House cashier Barbara Meyers could even leap small buildings in a single bound. For more than 40 years, Meyers has welcomed students and created a friendly ambiance in the University's dining halls. She has also raised five children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild during her employment. At the age of 20, Meyers began working for the University at Sergeant Hall at the corner of 34th and Chestnut Streets, a dorm for 250 girls which burned to the ground about 30 years ago. "I can even remember when sit-down meals were served in the dormitories," she said. When Meyers began her job she was the youngest worker and the only black person on the entire staff. Meyers began working at Hill House after it was built in the early 1960s. She has used three different meal systems since she began working as a cashier -- tickets, keys and the present PennCard system. "This has been the most efficient system by far," Meyers said. She also said that the best thing about her job is the people. "Over the years, I have learned the names of many of the students and they've learned my name," Meyers explained. "Every year some come back to say hello and I still know them." This year, she has already made a positive impression on many freshmen. "If I had an ounce of sense I'd marry her tomorrow," confided College freshman Steve Shaheen. "She is the sunshine of my life." Behind her cashier's desk, Meyers has a bulletin board that is filled with pictures of students. In addition, she keeps a scrapbook at home to deal with the overflowing pictures. And throughout her years of service, Meyers has played matchmaker for several student relationships. "Last year I was invited to a wedding of one of the Graduate Fellows in Hill," she said. During the freshman Undergraduate Assembly elections, several students wrote Meyers' name in the blank space on the ballots. "Out of all the people I know in this school, Barbara is probably the most honest and respectable," said College freshman David Warren, explaining why he cast his vote for her. "I think she knows the students better than anyone in the entire school." While serving the University, Meyers has received the Hospitality Service Award of Excellence, the Customer Service Employee of the Year and many flowers and gifts from Penn students. Meyers will be 62 next April and said she is planning on retiring sometime next year. She added that she hopes to volunteer at a Philadelphia preschool after she retires. "I'd like to continue working with children," Meyers said. "I raised my kids, grandkids, worked for 40 years with students and now I plan on helping pre-schoolers." But for now, "40 years is enough," she said.