April 16, 2018
Faces of PC: Dot Marcello, Raymond Dining Hall
By Michael Hagan ’15
When did you start in your current role at the front register?
About seven years ago, but I’ve worked at the dining hall since 1998. I was happy to come out to the front — you hear so many stories. I tell the kids, “If you wouldn’t tell your parents, don’t tell me. But if you want good advice, I’ll gladly try to give it to you.” I try to advise kids — especially the freshmen. I try to be cheerful. I’m me. I get up in the morning, and I’m smiling.
Do you find that homesick students gravitate to you?
A lot of the freshmen will say to me, “You’re like my grandmother.” A lot of them have never been away from home before, so it’s good they think of me like that.
Are you excited to see alumni when they come back to campus?
I love alumni weekend. I get to see how much everyone has changed and matured, and hear about their jobs and families. One student came back a few years after graduating, and I called him by name. He answered, “How do you remember me?” I said, “I’d never forget you.”
Do you sometimes do a doubletake when alumni come back?
One student I knew became a priest. But then he came in for an alumni weekend, and he was married and has two children.
Are there any subjects you see the students studying here that you’d like to learn more about?
Probably Civ. Some people leave books behind that I start reading. I don’t know why so many students don’t like Civ — it seems fun. But I guess it’s hard to see that when you’re in the middle of it.
How do you hope that students remember you when they leave PC?
I’d hope they say that Dot is a good person who always did her best to help and advise them. I went to the mall once and a girl said to me, “I know you.” I said, “I’m Dot from PC,” and she was so excited to see me. Things like that are nice. You do your best, you know?
