April 6, 2021
National Student Employment Week is April 12-18, 2021–a time for colleges and universities across the country to recognize the importance of student employees. NDSU Libraries have close to 40 dedicated student employees that are vital to keeping operations running smoothly. Their friendly faces help make the Main Library and its branches enjoyable spaces with invaluable services that fellow students, staff and the community appreciate.
We are putting the spotlight on four of our exceptional student assistants who are all graduates this academic year. They are greatly appreciated for their hard work, impact, and commitment at NDSU Libraries. Thank you for choosing us to be a part of your NDSU experience!
Alexa Pemble
Hometown: Buffalo, Minnesota
Major: Business Management
Graduation Date: May 2021
Position at NDSU Libraries: Student Assistant – Access Services
Book I would recommend: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Favorite Quote: "It’s only awkward if you make it awkward." – Alex P.
How does your degree fit into your life’s plans? My goal is to someday own my own business. I am thinking that business will be a restaurant/bar. I have also considered the idea of an animal shelter type business. I think that my business management degree fits great with my goals.
Who is your favorite professor or staff member and why? My favorite professor is Charles Stevens. I find him to be a very good lecturer, and he is actually pretty funny. I admire his passion for teaching. I am very sad that my last class with him is through Zoom and not an actual in-class setting though.
What’s your favorite memory from NDSU Libraries? My favorite memory from my four years of working at the NDSU Library would have to be the mandatory semester meetings. I think that it is really good to get all of the student workers together, and I think that there should be a second meeting added that focuses on fun activities and getting to know each other better!
What is your favorite smell? My favorite smell is mahogany teakwood. Very good candle scent!
Amy Luschen
Hometown: Warroad, Minnesota
Major: Master of Architecture
Graduation Date: May 2021
Position at NDSU Libraries: Graduate Service Assistant
Book I would recommend: A Place for the Soul by Christopher Day
Favorite Quote: "Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
What do you like to do in your free time? In my free time, I enjoy spending time outside, biking, hiking, working on DIY projects, drawing, painting, and taking pictures.
What is your plan after graduation? I will be moving to Bemidji, Minnesota to work for MJ Architectural Studios!
What’s your favorite memory from NDSU Libraries? There is nothing more comfortable and calming about a rainy day at the Architectural Studies Library. The perfect place to find a little peace in the sound of rain on the roof.
If animals could talk, which would be the funniest? I feel like birds would be the funniest, being able to fly, I can’t even begin to imagine the things they must see and the stories they could tell!
Joseph Kuechle
Hometown: Watkins, Minnesota
Major: Construction Management
Graduation Date: December 2020
Position at NDSU Libraries: Student Assistant – Digital Fabrication Lab
Book I would recommend: Maps of Meaning by Jordan B. Peterson
Favorite Quote: "There are always a million reasons not to do something." – Jan Levinson
What’s your favorite memory from NDSU Libraries? Getting to work on our Innovation Challenge project for 2019. We had a team that was fun to work with and even moved onto the second round. And of course, the two handled milk jug will always be my greatest creation.
What is your plan after graduation? Continue working in the construction industry for my family’s business.
What have you learned that's made a difference to you? Product design and development, but more importantly, learning how different people interpret the same problem and come up with different or similar solutions. I always found it interesting to follow people’s ideas along as they develop them.
What is a saying or expression that you probably say too much? “I’ll just hot glue it.”
Tessa Hill
Hometown: Williston, North Dakota
Major: Sociology and Anthropology
Graduation Date: December 2020
Position at NDSU Libraries: Student Assistant – Germans from Russia Heritage Collection
Book I would recommend: The Color Purple by Alice Walker or A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Favorite Quote: "When the army doesn’t come for you, when no one chooses to fight for you, when no one dives in after you with fairy tales and promises, you write a different story. You write a tale of adventure and chaos, of survival and fortitude, and instead of wishing to be saved, you save yourself." – Kelton Wright
What makes NDSU Libraries special? NDSU Libraries is special because the staff is so close-knit. Everyone is always happy to help with smiling faces and a great attitude. The community is beyond welcoming and kind to anyone that walks into their doors. They make working for the university, which should seem intimidating, feel like you’ve always belonged here.
What advice do you have for incoming students? Choose the path in life that makes you happy. There will be many times in your college career that you consider changing everything and if that is what makes your heart happy, then please do it. Outside sources might tell you otherwise, but only you can chose your path.
What's your favorite spot on campus and why? My favorite spot on campus is the Bison Statue between Minard and the Library. Many of us have this routine of taking photos with it before and after we attend NDSU, as a symbol of our journey here. Thundar always reminds me of the strength, courage and perseverance it took to get through this journey, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
If our state was represented by just one food, what would it be? I would say beef. After all, there are more cows than people here.
Congratulations to our accomplished student employees. We wish you all the best!