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Sweet like Candy

After working for five hours, UA employee Betty Baker still carries her genuine smile and warm spirit as she greets students during lunch rush in the Fiddlee Fig.

After filling another University of Arizona employee's plate with the dish of the day, Baker clasps her hands over her heart and says, "Thank you - you have a wonderful day," then beams another smile.

"She's such a blessing - I feel extremely happy after seeing her," said Nancy Costanza, veterinary sciences and microbiology research technician, a regular Fig customer. "She has a beautiful smile and a wonderful disposition and a role model for every student here - I'd want her as a grandmother," she said.

Shalisa Leach, Spanish and Portuguese graduate student, said Baker's presence is much more positive and respectful than any other service person on campus.

"You can tell she likes her job because she's sincere about treating people nicely," Leach said.

"It gets really frustrating because people behind the counter or service people are there for the public but sometimes they don't remember that," Leach said, adding that Baker has never come off as being rude or unappreciative of her customers.

Taken back by the beauty she finds in every UA customer - whether it be a smile or the sight of purple apparel - Baker, 69, explained with eyes twinkling through tears of utter joy, her feelings for everyone.

"The students have been so gracious - I can't get over it," Baker said. "It has been a joyous experience."

Baker - born Jan. 10, 1931 in Selma, La., - said she also works at her daughter's ballet school in Continental, about 40 minutes north of Tucson.

Raised in San Antonio, Baker said she finished two years at Texas Christian University pursuing a major in liberal arts - with an interest in English and psychology - before dropping out to get married.

Her father, who was in the ministry, gave her religious guidance and her mother and extended family instilled a sense of family security until her father returned from World War II.

Baker said her religious parents taught her two sisters, her brother and herself "the values and really wanted us to give the ministry to others," without judgment.

Baker said teaching should be understanding and affectionate - two traits that reach down into the individual soul - not aggression, which is one of the many reasons why she is so positive.

She said God is the number one source of energy and happiness in her life but she is guilty of one sin - her obsession for chocolate.

"I am sort of addicted to chocolate candy - caramel and plain chocolate with chocolate," she said. "I know that's awful but confession is good for the soul."

She also said the UA is good for her soul because interaction with other people lightens her mood - like candy for her spirit.

"I have a lot of wonderful things that have happened to me working at the UA," Baker said. "I completely liked Tucson the minute I got here because people were so friendly."

Baker said she began her work at the UA Sept. 2, 1980 in the Terrace Dining Room - where McDonald's is now - after working for a cleaning service.

"She notices everything - she can tell you all the scores of all the sports," said Coleen Cummings, dining services supervisor, adding that Baker is particularly interested in football and basketball.

Baker, who has been recognized as "Outstanding Employee of the Year" was also used by the UA dining services as a promotional stunt called "Where's Betty?" Baker said the promotion was done at Park Student Union two or three years ago and one at Union Club last year.

Cummings added evidence that Baker is widely known - and equally loved - was most present last semester when Baker became ill with double pneumonia and bronchitis.

"She was in intensive care for a week and there was such a big hole in our morning line that we set up a table with a card and customers came in and signed it," Cummings said.

Baker said she received 300 other "Get Well" cards from faculty and staff, students, her church, her daughter and two sons - something she said overwhelmed her.

She said she had to miss work, which "really broke my heart," but regaining her strength was a blessing.

Cummings said Baker's absence was one of great difficulty because there seemed to be a blank space, something missing.

"She's just superlative because she is a joy," Cummings said. "She's everybody's grandma."