2021 Gumbo final - Book - Page 100
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ms. joyce
J
oyce McKnight spent 22 years working at The 5
Dining Hall, where she swiped TigerCards, served
meals and made students feel welcomed at the
University.
McKnight, who was lovingly referred to as “Ms. Joyce,”
died Sept. 2 at age 78.
Fashion merchandising sophomore Jordan Hebert said
McKnight was one of the first familiar and friendly faces she
encountered on campus.
“Acquaintances often ask how you are as a formality, but
she genuinely wanted to know,” Hebert said. “She often let
my best friend come eat with me even though she didn’t
have a meal plan. I’m going to miss her so much, but I’ll
always have the best memories of her.”
LSU alumna Leslie Wheatley was sad to hear about
McKnight’s passing and credits McKnight with keeping her in
school.
Wheatley said her first semester at LSU was tough and
lonely. She only knew three people on campus and seriously
considered going home. Wheatley ate at Highland Cafe, an
old dining hall on campus that closed before The 5 opened,
every day for lunch. She said she was always greeted by
McKnight with a warm smile and a welcome. One particular
day, McKnight could tell that she was struggling and asked
her what was wrong. Wheatley said she’s had a special place
in her heart for McKnight ever since.
“Ms. Joyce was there every day through my four years
at LSU with a smile and encouragement,” Wheatley said.
“She helped me get through finals, failures, my first big
heartache, the death of a grandfather and so much more.
She has enriched and touched so many lives over the years.
I will always cherish the moments we shared together. She
was a light.”
Architecture senior Mason Orantes said he was deeply
distressed when he heard the news. Orantes lived off
campus freshman year, so he would only eat at The 5 when
his friend swiped him in. Orantes would watch in amazement
as his friend would greet McKnight. He would walk around
the desk, she would step out and they would hug like they
were lifelong friends.
Orantes said trips to The 5 always began with his friends
commenting on how sweet she was.
“Watching Aubry do that [every time] with someone
I would’ve otherwise thought was a complete stranger
brought a patience to me, and a joy in that moment,”
Orantes said. “I wish I had eaten there on a regular basis. I
might’ve gotten to get to know her as well as him.”
Several former LSU athletes tweeted their condolences,
including long snapper Blake Ferguson and kicker Colby
Delahoussaye.
“This woman knew nearly every student that walked
through the doors by name,” Ferguson wrote. “The world is a
better place because of Ms. Joyce.”
“I’ll always remember those sweet ‘Hey baby, how you
doing today,’ she would give everyone,” Delahoussaye wrote.
One of McKnight’s granddaughters, Dominique McKnight
Zenon, responded to the outpouring on Twitter.
“She was an angel. She LOVED every one of you,”
Dominique tweeted. “She loved working at LSU and you all
made her so happy. She would always come home with cards
and gifts, and stories from y’all. I’m so glad you all loved
her!”
In 2019, McKnight was highlighted by “Humans of LSU,”
a photo project inspired by the “Humans of New York” series
and an attempt to capture the lives of LSU students.
“I try to make friends with all the kids and get to know
all of them before they graduate,” McKnight said in her
interview. “That’s why I’ve been at this job so long.”
Remembering Ms. Joyce
McKnight, one of LSU’s most
beloved figures.