The Online Reflector

In the hustle and bustle of an average day at the University of Indianapolis, students do not frequently take the time to get acquainted with the employees.   Between the lunchtime rush, pressured studies and the search for the perfect tile placement in the game of Words with Friends, it can be difficult to make time to interact with a relative stranger. Elizabeth Hassee, a Polk Food Service employee, tries to make students’ experience getting coffee from The Perk as pleasant and personable as possible.

“I just try to treat the kids here how I want my kids treated at college,” Elizabeth said and laughed.

She enjoys the relaxed, conversational atmosphere of the coffee shop.

“Once your order’s on the cup, I’m free to gab,” Elizabeth laughed. “It’s enjoyable to get to know the students.”

As an employee of PFS for the past four-and-a-half years, Elizabeth has served almost exclusively within the UIndy coffee shop and for special events catering.

“If I had to describe her in one word, it would be ‘enthusiastic,’” said Ted Polk, owner and director of PFS. “She’s always smiling, and she’s always thinking — just very outgoing and likes people.”

Polk finds these character traits key for his successful business.

“You can train anybody to do anything,” he said. “But you can’t train them to smile.”

Before coming to PFS, Elizabeth put her marketing degree from Ball State to work as a buyer for L.S. Ayres. As her three daughters joined the family, however, Elizabeth left the busy, travel-filled job.

“I didn’t want to have to live the job anymore,” she said. “It took a leap of faith to stay at home.”

Elizabeth found her way to PFS when she covered for a friend on vacation by working a PFS-catered event.

“I really liked the atmosphere,” she said, “And thought it would be a nice job. It’s fun money. “

PFS experience runs in the Hassee family. Her daughter Annie, a junior in high school, works about 20 hours a week alongside her mother.

“We get along and it’s nice having money to pay for things,” Annie said.

Polk agreed that the mother-daughter team presented no issues.

“I’ve never seen any real friction there,” he said. “Elizabeth is a pleasure to work with and capable of anything I need from her.”

In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys golfing and has taken up cycling.

“I did the Hilly 100 recently, which was a lot of fun,” Elizabeth said. “Going 100 miles in two days was a fun challenge.”

Next time students, faculty or staff are waiting in line at The Perk, they are encouraged to get to know the staff.

“I think we get along better than most companies because we’re more relaxed,” Polk said. “We’re like a family here.”