WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., April 29, 2016 — West Liberty University students rewarded one of the most public figures on campus with the title of Staff of the Year as they selected Ethel Scherich for the honor.
“I was surprised by the honor and thank the students for their kindness,” Scherich said, after receiving the honor at the Spring Honors Convocation. Presenting the award was Student Government President Allyson Ashworth.
An employee of Sodexo, Scherich has worked at WLU since 1989. She started out working for Wood food services and continued on with Sodexo when they took the reins in 2001. She is the cashier in the main dining room and greets everyone going through the line from 7 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
“Ethel is a dedicated employee and loves the students. She’s witty too and we are glad to have her at Sodexo,” said Doug Orr, Sodexo general manager. On a typical day, 200 breakfast and 450 lunch students go through her line.
A longtime resident of nearby Apple Pie Road, Wellsburg, W.Va., Sherich has three adult sons, one residing nearby, one living in Delaware and one residing in Alabama.
A native of Piney, W.Va., near New Martinsville, Sherich loves her job.
“I like everything about it. The students, the people I work with. The bosses. Sodexo is extra nice to me,” she said.
Formerly a stay-at-home mom, her husband Cecil, died in 1988 of heart trouble and she went to work to support her children, with the youngest being 15 at the time. Two of her sons also worked at the university during summers while they were in high school.
Does Ethel like to cook?
“Not really. I’d rather clean,” she said. But she does enjoy a good bowl of soup and enjoys one of Sodexo’s recipes daily at lunchtime.
Students pick the staff honoree via nominations and voting organized by the Student Government Association (SGA) every spring.
“Ethel’s great and is always so nice and friendly. All the students love her,” said Ashworth.