After 19 years working for UW-Eau Claire Dining, Becky Jenson has decided to step away from her role at the university. The decision to part ways came not out of sheer readiness but by a collision with a deer. After too many close calls on her drive to work, she decided to look for something a little closer to home.

According to Jenson, though, this decision did not come easily.

“If I could still be walking around at 90 years old, I would be here for you guys,” Jenson said.

For current students, Jenson’s face is most recognizable behind the counter of Einstein Bros. Bagels. This role, though, only amounts to a small portion of the work she did at the university.

Jenson started at UW-Eau Claire in 2005 in Riverview Cafe in Hilltop Recreation Center. She was referred to the position by a co-worker at Kwik Trip. She was told of an opening, and after being interviewed, was hired on the spot. 

“They were looking for five people and I got to be the first one to interview. I got to pick where I wanted to be,” Jenson said. “I wanted to be out with people. I’ve just loved it ever since.”

Her first job was in Blimpie, a sandwich shop in Hilltop, and she worked there for five years. She worked at a number of other jobs in Hilltop including Taco Bell, the vegan bar and in the kitchen.

During that time, Jenson said her favorite jobs always had one thing in common: Human interaction.

“Because I’m cooking for them, I don’t have that interaction I want,” Jenson said. 

Jenson said that in her 19 years with the university, the students, whom she calls her “kids,” were always what kept her here most.

“I call you guys my kids,” Jenson said. “I just felt like I’m feeding my kids. I just love you all. It was so rewarding.”

It was in Hilltop that Jenson met her now friend and “sister,” Jeannie Gums. The pair met around 10 years ago, but got to know one another more once they started working at Einstein’s together.

Gums, who also recently left her job at Einstein’s, describes Jenson as someone she could always have fun with.

“We always were goofballs,” Gums said. “Every time was enjoyable. We had fun when we did our jobs.”

Jenson spent a total of around 13 years in Hilltop before moving down to Einstein’s. Her time there started as a stint filling in for an employee on medical leave. Once there was an opening for a permanent position, she made her move.

Prior to working for the university, Jenson had done a number of jobs surrounding two main things: food and kids. From working at Kwik Trip to driving a bus and working in the kitchen for the Head Start program, she was always involved with these two groups.

Jenson said she grew up in the kitchen with her mother. Additionally, she has always loved children. With five of her own and 12 grandchildren, she loved the interactions she got to have with students daily. She said the interactions with students had a way of making her feel better on bad days.

“I’d say, ‘How was your day?,” and they’d say ‘Not good until I came here to see the smile on your face,’” Jenson said. “And I could be having a bad day behind the counter too.”

Gums said that when leaving, Jenson was worried that she wouldn’t get to have final interaction with the students she had formed relationships with.

“She was so worried that some of the students weren’t going to see her before she left,” Gums said. “She loved them with all her heart.”

Jenson said she still plans on staying connected to UW-Eau Claire. Since starting her new job, she has already visited and walked around campus.

In leaving, Jenson said she has a few things to say to her “kids.”

“There’s so many different things I could say,” Jenson said. “Good luck in your future, make wise decisions and I know you can do it. I know it.”

Braun can be reached at [email protected].