Staff Profile
Susan Wilbur
ID cards and because of this, I remember their
names, and sometimes even their numbers. I
like to say, why retire? You guys keep my brain
Sodexo Cashier & Friend to Al
busy. I wil never get Alzheimer's! I also love it
By Haley Hunt Griffin '15
when students come back to visit. I always tel
graduating students, you'l be back. One year
How did you decide to work at MMA?
there was a student, Travis, who swore he would
Wel , I grew up in East Orland and was born in
never, ever set foot in Castine again and, three
Castine. This was the place to come in the 40's,
years later, he was back with his fiancée. I told
50's, 60's, and early 70's to have babies. I wanted
you; they always come back. I also love it when
something different and I found out about this
students come up to me and ask for hugs. I
job opening with Sodexo through a career fair,
never had any kids of my own, but now I have
met with the manager, and was offered the job
thousands!
the next day. I started working at MMA on
Embark on
November 8, 2000. Maybe I'm coming back to my
We often see you knitting. What else do you do
roots, so to speak.
in your free time?
I go back to Birchwood to visit friends at the
a journey of
What and where did you study in col ege?
nursing center. Some of them can't talk very
"
I studied law enforcement at the University of
much, but they enjoy the company. I tel one
Maine at Bangor. I didn't complete my degree
of my good friends that when I get sick of my
I also love it when
a lifetime
because my smart professor took us to an autopsy
husband, she can have him. When the local police
of an eight year old. After that, I told him, `you're
officers and firefighters have a bad cal , I go in
students come up to
right, I'm not cut out for this' and I stopped
and cook for them. I read a lot. I've been reading
me and ask for hugs. takingclasses.IthenworkedattheWyman's
El sworth American's articles about the Civil War.
Set your career steaming ahead at
Blueberry factory (where I met my husband of
I also love genealogy! When my husband and I
I never had any kids
full speed. With an expansive U.S. flag
34 years), Duffy's Restaurant, and the Birchwood
are driving, I ask him to stop at cemeteries we
fleet and as a leading operator of U.S.
Living Center, a nursing center for the physical y
haven't visited before and he teasingly replies,
of my own, but now I andmentalyhandicapped.Iworkedinthe
"One more cemetery and I'm divorcing you." I
government vessels, opportunities abound
kitchen for 18 years. When I work somewhere, I
have found some unique grave stones, personal
have thousands!
at Maersk Line, Limited. Afloat or ashore,
like to stay a while.
stories, and learned I have a great, great, great
you learn from industry leaders, take on
uncle who shot off his toes in the Civil War to
dynamic challenges and support our
What do you like best about working at MMA?
come home.
"
country's economic and national securi .
The people! The academy staff, the guys I work
with, and the students. The faculty gave me a
Every day the students see you smiling. How do
book ful of quotes because they know I like to
you keep your positive attitude?
You guys need a smiling face. You're going
maersklinelimited.com
read and I am always saying stuff. A few years
through a lot - dealing with schoolwork, bal-
ago, the school yearbook was dedicated to me.
ancing a social life, and planning your futures. It
It brought me to tears! Major Christian said I
helps you to have positivity in your lives. I also
should be a motivational speaker because of the
don't sweat the smal stuff. I do the Polar Bear Dip
support I give the students, and the Commandant
every year - what's a little bit of cold? I also don't
Staff gave me the honorary MTO pin! `It's the
worry about keeping a spotless home. I don't
people!'
want it to be written on my tombstone, `she kept a
clean house.' I want it to be written, `she lived life.'
What do you love best about the students?
Their intelligence, their dedication, their drive
to go where they want to go; to be so focused!
Equal Opportuni Employer M/F/D/V
How hard they work, and (winking) how hard
they play. And, the students save me from getting
Alzheimer's. Sometimes students forget their
mainemaritime.edu
19
Mariner 2014.1.indd 19
4/10/14 11:39 AM

---