JORDYN HOLKA
Reverb Editor
Robert Geffert lives his life by a Monty Python-inspired mantra: “always look on the bright side of life.” Many of us know Geffert as the sweet cashier who works in the dining halls on campus, always addressing us by name and wishing us the happiest of days upon our departure from his cash register.
Geffert began his career at Fredonia nine years ago, when he secured a job through the resource center at the time the school was hiring an all-new staff for the newly remodeled University Commons.
“I have my job through the resource center because I’m actually fully disabled, so I’m just lucky to have any job,” said Geffert.
Throughout his time at Fredonia, Geffert has worked at Erie Dining Hall and Cranston Marche, and is now in the beginning stages of becoming a regular worker in the C-Store.
Students love going through Geffert’s cashier line, because he is always so kind to interact with.
“Whenever I go into Cranston, he’s always smiling, and he’s one of my favorite people to see!” said Kelly Jacuzzo, a senior speech pathology major.
“Whenever I see him, he brightens my day,” added Ali Shanahan, a senior double major in speech pathology and Spanish.
And the warm feelings are reciprocated, as when asked what his favorite part of his job is, Geffert replied, “It’s probably going to sound hokey, but you kids!”
He said that “the kids and the community” are his favorite things about Fredonia overall. “They’re just nice,” he added.
Although he really only comes to campus for his job, Geffert said that he has participated in a few on-campus events throughout the years, such as an event aimed at promoting marriage equality that took place on campus fairly recently.
In his free time, Geffert watches sci-fi “how it’s made” specials on the science channel. He also teaches about computers, as well as tutors at the library in Silver Creek. He is passionate about computers, which was his topic of study when he attended Jamestown Community College for computer science as a young adult.
When asked what is the one thing he wants Fredonia students to know about him, Geffert thought for a minute, before replying simply, “Disabled people — we can do just as good as anybody else.”