June Stanley
June Stanley
By Adrian Kendrick | Managing Editor
At an older age, some people tend to retire and stay inside their homes, isolated from the outside world, but not June Stanley.
She says she looks forward to going to work every day.
“Nothing seems to go wrong,” Stanley said. “I’m ready for Friday night, but I’m ready to come back Monday.”
Her day at UIndy starts at 1 p.m. and she departs around 7:30 p.m. She says her days are busy but enjoyable. Ted Polk, director of food services, said Stanley’s job keeps her energized.
“She’s a super lady. The students love her, and she loves them,” Polk said. “She’s told me plenty of times this keeps her going.”
Stanley joined the UIndy staff six years ago. Polk said she is everything you want in a checker.
“I met her through a lady that came to me and said, ‘I got a lady that would be a great checker for you, and she’s a nice lady.’ I hired her, and she’s been here ever since. The legend was created,” Polk said.
Originally from Leicester, England, Stanley journeyed to Indiana to follow her now deceased husband.
“That was one of the most difficult challenges I had to face. My kids are all gone and married now, so this job seems to work for me. England was dear to my heart, but this university fulfilled that void, ” Stanley said.
Senior Ann Reafsnyder said that it’s nice to see Stanley every day, because she actually cares about the students.
“She always brightens up my day, because she wonders about what’s going on in my life,” Reafsnyder said.
Stanley says she does not only relate to one particular student.
“Oh no, I enjoy all the students. I love being around young people. The students have an influence over me as I do them,” Stanley said. “ I’ve seen a lot of them come and go in six years.”
Polk said he watches Stanley receive hundreds of hugs every week.
“I enjoy watching her with the kids. She’s like their grandmother,” Polk said. “There is nobody that doesn’t love her. She knows the students by name, their family and they also may talk about relationships. She’s like Mother Theresa. She’s absolutely our most popular employee.”
Polk said Stanley has explained to him that her job is the reason she gets up in the morning.
“She does not call in. She always says, ‘I need to be at work.’ We both love being around the kids; it makes us feel young,” Polk said. “We’re going to keep her as long as she can stay.”
Stanley turns 80 years old this year and doesn’t see retirement in the near future.
“I want to stay as long as Mr. Polk keeps me,” Stanley said. “It’s like I tell my children it [UIndy] is my second home.”
