Servant’s heart
In all her years working at Bethel, Melinda Koehn’s love for students still gives her joy.
By Sam Johnson
Every school day, student workers gather together in a hallway in the third floor of the Clauson Center before their work shift for time to talk. Sometimes they talk about school stress. Sometimes they talk about the new blockbuster movie coming out. Sometimes they talk about issues at home. Whatever it is that day, there is one constant: Students can count on Melinda Koehn always being there to listen.
Koehn, who has worked for Bethel University in multiple roles since 1996, currently holds the title of supervisor of staff and students for 2nd shift facilities. This position comes after working for Sodexo food services for 13 years. Prior to working at Bethel, Koehn has held many different titles such as hotel attendant, bartender and even a tutor for college students who are blind at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
“I usually had two or more jobs at a time,” Koehn said.
Growing up, Koehn’s childhood was anything but easy. She was the youngest of four siblings: two older brothers and an older sister. Her father, similar to what she is currently doing, worked at least two jobs at a time to keep food on the table. Her mother grew up in a household with two alcoholic parents and lived through what Koehn called a “sad childhood.”
This attitude of hard work translated to Koehn. She has a broadcasting degree from Normandale Community College and is currently working on a counseling psychology degree from Bethel. The reason for her passion in that career is simple. “I’ve always had a love for people,” she said.
When she began to work for Bethel facilities management nine years ago, Koehn thought that it would be beneficial to begin the shift with a time for prayer together with the students. “When I came in,” Koehn said, “I wanted to develop some spiritual time. That is when I get to hear the students’ stories.”
That appreciation for students and their lives resonates with junior student manager Ellie Erickson. “She really cares about us as a person and is great to us students,” Erickson said. “She’s more like a mom than anything.”
Koehn said she wanted this job to be stress-free for the students because she knows first-hand the business they are under being a college student. That is why she chose to start the shift with a time of prayer and listening. “It helps us to remember that people are hurting, they’re right next door to you, sitting right next to you, pushing that cart working with you,” Koehn said.
One of the best things about working with college students, Koehn said, is that she just feels more energized by being around them. “There’s something about being around the younger generation that brings out good feelings and vibes and get the endorphins going,” the counseling psychology student professed.
Even in the business of life, Koehn, the college student, is inspiring younger college students to have the same joy and care for others as she does.
