Dorothy 鈥淒ottie鈥� Russell
Dorothy 鈥淒ottie鈥� Russell is surrounded every weekday by the friends she has made over the years as she prepares the day鈥檚 salad fixings and keeps a busy pace monitoring the salad bar in Schine Dining.
There are the students to whom Russell sends a joyful greeting of 鈥淗i, Baby,鈥� and the faculty and staff members who share a quick chat with her. Everyone is made welcome.
Then there are the photos.
Hundreds of pictures of smiling faces鈥攃olleagues, students, faculty, staff, alumni and their families鈥攍ine the tile walls of the salad prep area, keeping Russell company as she washes and slices up the day鈥檚 vegetables and prepares deliciously appealing vegetable trays for catering.
A longtime employee, Russell is well-known for her affectionate welcome and kind smile as she engages with the campus community stopping in for a bite to eat. But it鈥檚 the students with whom she has the greatest attachment.
鈥淚 love the kids. I鈥檓 glad that I have the opportunity to work at SU so I can get to love them,鈥� Russell says.
Many consider her like a second mother: someone with whom to share news or receive some support and loving attention.
鈥淚 treat them nice and kind. And they are away from their families, so they need that mothering,鈥� Russell says.
Dorothy Russell and Floyd Little
It shows in the happy photos鈥攕ome with autographs of the University鈥檚 student-athletes and notable alumni, such as football players Donovan J. McNabb 鈥�98 and Floyd Little 鈥�67. She remembers serving Little while he was a student at Sadler Hall.
鈥淗e would come through, and I would fix his breakfast. I would make little pancakes just to mess around with him and put them on this plate, and he would say, 鈥楧ottie, who do you think that鈥檚 for?鈥� And I would say, 鈥榠t鈥檚 for you,鈥欌€� she says with a laugh.
Russell, who also worked at the former Commons Snack Bar in Slocum Hall before moving to the Schine Dining Center when it opened in 1985, has seen many changes during her time at the University.
In the 1970s, there was a dress code for Sunday meals. 鈥淲hen they came into the dining room, they had to have on a suit coat鈥攏o flip flops鈥攁nd back then tablecloths had to be on the tables on Sunday,鈥� says Russell. These days, there are many student options for dining and food choices鈥攁n expansive range as compared to many years ago.
Although the options and facilities have changed in Food Services, the students they have served over the years still all share the same need.
鈥淭hey miss their families, and they need to have someone to talk to, and I listen and talk to them. That hasn鈥檛 changed,鈥� she says.
Russell is also a beacon to colleagues, serving as union steward and keeping upbeat when others might have difficulties.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a family atmosphere here,鈥� says Russell, who has a daughter, Renee. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 care what people are going through, how they get upset about something. I always say 鈥榞ive it to God and try not to worry about it. Praise God. Praise Jesus.鈥欌€�
Dorothy Russell, center, receives the Trailblazer Award during the Black Lounge dinner earlier this month. From left are Cedric T. Bolton, with the Office of Multicultural Affairs; Russell; and Angela Morales-Patterson, with the Office of Multicultural Advancement.
Russell鈥檚 enthusiasm for the University and joyful nature make people feel welcome, says Sue Bracy, director of Food Services.
鈥淒ottie loves being Orange. She is friendly, inclusive and sincere, and always makes people smile. Dottie doesn鈥檛 see color, or title or privilege鈥攕he sees people,鈥� Bracy says. 鈥淒ottie loves being part of SU, and you know you are welcomed once she calls you 鈥楤aby.鈥� If you haven鈥檛 met her yet, stop by and just say 鈥榟i.鈥� Her smile is infectious.鈥�
Russell is also active in the community. She is an usher at St. Luke Baptist Church in 黑料不打烊 and works with the youth group and junior choir. She also mentors and guides young people facing challenges and assists them by providing clothing and other necessities.
Russell was recently recognized by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Caribbean Student Association and the Office of Multicultural Advancement with the Trailblazer Award, given out at The Black Lounge annual dinner and music celebration, held this year on Feb. 2.
The Trailblazer Award recognizes exemplary leadership, selfless acts and dedication to the Black community at 黑料不打烊 and in the community, says Cedric T. Bolton, coordinator of student engagement with the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Russell was humbled to be honored. 鈥淚 was in shock,鈥� she says.
Dorothy Russell receives the Martin Luther King Jr. Unsung Hero Award at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in 2014.
鈥淭here are people who have been a motivation and inspiration to our students, and it鈥檚 important to celebrate them,鈥� says Bolton. 鈥淪he鈥檚 just so genuine, and she鈥檚 there for people when they are in need. I鈥檝e seen her interact with students, staff and faculty for my 15 years here, and she has an incredible spirit.鈥�
In 2014, Russell was honored with the Martin Luther King Jr. Unsung Hero Award at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The awards are presented annually to people who, in the spirit of King鈥檚 鈥渂eloved community,鈥� have made a positive difference in the lives of others but who are not widely recognized for their efforts.
鈥淭hat honor will be in my heart until I die,鈥� Russell says. 鈥淭he award is so meaningful because of Dr. King and all that he did for the Blacks. He led us to a better place, and it means a whole lot. He did it all for us.鈥�
