When students enter the Hornets Nest in the Memorial Union to grab a bite to eat between classes, there’s a woman behind the food counter waiting to love on them: Jacqueline Kornegay.
Kornegay, better known by students on Emporia State’s campus as “Ms. Jacqui,” has prepared and served up meals to students over the last year and half as an employee for Fresh Ideas, ESU’s dining service.
During her workday on April 7, four members of Associated Student Government, including Vice President Josh Manahan and Senator Briar Esterline, took to the Hornet Express to surprise Kornegay with a framed copy of an ASG resolution — one thanking the woman for her service and dedication to ESU and its students.
The resolution passed unanimously in the student senate on Thursday, March 26.
“(Kornegay), better known as ‘Ms. Jackie,’ consistently demonstrates exceptional care and dedication towards students, creating a warm, welcoming and vibrant environment for all, supporting each student as if they were her own,” the resolution reads.
Esterline, who sponsored the resolution, described Kornegay’s recognition as a “no-brainer” following the March 26 approval.
“We picked Miss Jackie to recognize for this resolution because she really puts her heart into everything on campus, and she’s literally—she’s very recognizable. A lot of people know her on campus. So if she’s that recognizable for a good reason, it’s probably kind of a no brainer, you know?” he said.
For Kornegay, the recognition was “overwhelming.”
“It’s overwhelming … it’s so overwhelming, it feels good. I mean, I’m growing here and the students here, they really just let me just love them like they love me,” she said.
The resolution commends Kornegay for building “meaningful connections with students” and championing their successes. In her view, it’s her job to be “mom away from mom,” she told The Bulletin.
That statement reigns true for junior business administration major and ASG Public Relations Director Beyonce Tate, who referred to Kornegay as her “mom but not (her) mom” during her remarks on the resolution late last month.
“She encourages me to do things that my mom really does. I mean, like everybody loves it, but like, I don’t know, it just reminds me of my mom’s,” Tate later said in an interview. “And she always offers advice, like, you don’t have to ask, and it’s like always good advice too, you know? Like she’s just always … caring, welcoming, encouraging, passionate.”
Editor’s Note: ASG’s resolution writes Kornegay’s nickname as “Ms. Jackie.” Her name is written “Ms. Jacqui” on her Fresh Ideas name tag. The Bulletin uses both to accurately quote the resolution.
