You may know her as the woman who greets passersby as they enter the Glenn G. Bartle Library, but Judith Jacyna hopes to provide students with more than just a friendly smile.
Judy celebrated her 23rd anniversary as a Binghamton University employee on Feb. 2. She originally came to campus to work in the mail room in 1989, after holding a position as a mail carrier in the Binghamton area. She began working at Bartle Library’s main desk four years ago.
While she made less money at her on-campus job, she said the decision was worth it.
“It’s not always money that makes you happy,” Judy said. “I’m a perfect example of that.”
Judy has lived in the Binghamton area her whole life. As such, she takes great pride in the Library and BU as a whole.
She has seen, first-hand, how the University can affect the local community, “not only as an employee, but as a local resident,” according to Judy.
Although Judy is friendly and helpful to students who need her assistance, she said she is a generally shy person.
“When I first started working at the front desk, I thought, ‘I want to be friendly, I want to be approachable,’” Judy said.
She strives to answer each question that comes her way, and keeps a phone by the front desk so that she can call other offices if need be.
Judy said that the busiest times in the Library are at the beginning and end of semesters. Students most frequently ask about building abbreviations, class locations and the maze that is the basement of library, but faculty members also stop by with questions and to chat.
In her spare time, Judy enjoys gardening. She prefers perennials and her favorite flowers are roses. Judy often gives away her homegrown flowers and keeps a bouquet on the Information Desk.
Recently, Judy put up a quote on her desk from BU President Harvey G. Stenger, Jr. that reads: “Success in one’s life is how many people you have helped.”
Judy has dealt with students in times of personal crisis, and, on several occasions, she has brought students to the Counseling Center who she thought needed to speak with someone about a problem in their lives. She recalled one time during finals week when a student came to her in desperate need of a computer because her laptop had crashed. Judy walked the student to Science III, where she was able to find an open computer and complete her work.
Students can get a variety of information from Judy’s desk, including tax forms, Nature Preserve maps, sports schedules, campus maps, bus schedules and flyers and advertisements for upcoming events on campus.
Judy keeps statistics on how many patrons come to the desk and replenishes the information pamphlets regularly.
Judy said she thoroughly enjoys her job and the people she works with. She has two student assistants who also work at the front desk.
“I feel like we’re a great team, how we all work together,” Judy said.
Brendan Hassig, one of her assistants and a sophomore majoring in biology, said Judy is a pleasure to work with.
“Judy goes above and beyond to help people,” Hassig said. “She is always thoughtful and courteous. She’s an excellent person to work with.”
Hannah Marcus, a freshman majoring in philosophy, politics and law, said she enjoys seeing Judy in the Library.
“She’s really friendly, and she always answers my questions,” Marcus said.
Tareq Haddad, a senior majoring in finance, agreed that Judy is one of the friendliest people on campus.
“Her commitment to making sure everyone has a nice day is really commendable,” Haddad said. “Binghamton would be a worse-off place without her.”