Sierra Lewis

You may know her by her signature smile and greeting, ‘Hey, girlfriend.’ She spends her days behind the Starbucks cash register in the Andrew White Student Center, greeting thousands of pre-caffeinated students, professors, and faculty members before taking their order. 

In 1986, she walked onto the Evergreen Campus for her first day of work as the newest hire in the dining services staff. Forty years later, she is still here. 

A commitment that spans four decades is special and deserves to be recognized. The Greyhound News is honored to announce that, by community nomination, the second annual Hound of the Year will be awarded to Ms. Evon of Starbucks. 

Ms. Evon got her start at our university through her aunt, who was employed on the dining services team. It seems like she was predisposed from the start to serve a generational run at Loyola because she was brought in through her own community. The dining services team reaped the benefits of having generations of Besses working together, and, now, Ms. Evon has watched other families cycle through Loyola.

“I’ve seen things change over the years,” Besses said. 

For starters, she said she is grateful that the university put a Starbucks on campus because it has given her the opportunity to truly see every single person that walks through. She takes hundreds, potentially over 1,000, orders each shift. This a dream come true for a people-person like Ms. Evon. But, she has also watched some bigger changes.

“Once upon a time when I first started here, it wasn’t an ‘everybody’ college,” Besses said.  

The culture of the university has become more forward-thinking and inclusive, with everything from the student body to the uniforms female dining employees used to be required to wear.  

“When I started here, we were in nursing uniforms. You know, white dresses, white stockings, and white shoes? So, you know that it has been a long time!” Besses said. 

Loyola’s increase in diversity has been a welcome change for Ms. Evon, who said it only makes her feel happier because she gets to know more kinds of individuals; like she said, a people person through and through. 

Her observations are correct, too. The Class of 2026 boasted the most diverse student body, a record which was quickly broken again by the Class of 2027.  

Loyola has also diversified the economic backgrounds of students. As reported in 2017 by the New York Times College-Access Index, a ranking of the country’s most selective universities by economic diversity, Loyola Maryland was one of the most financially segregated schools in the country. It was ranked 17th out of 71 in the ‘highly selective private colleges’ category. 

In 2023, the New York Times ranked Loyola as one of the Top U.S. Colleges with the Greatest Economic Diversity.  

But Ms. Evon did not need research to tell you that. She was watching it unfold right in front of her eyes.  

Meanwhile, as Loyola was gradually evolving, Ms. Evon stayed happily behind Starbucks, surprised by visits from alumni. 

“Some people came here, went to school here, graduated, came back, and I’m still here. They come back just to say hello to me. The feeling is outrageous. Some of them talk to me and I have tears in my eyes,” Besses said.

Some come wanting a hello or a hug, and others come with cards and gifts to give her. It is not lost on her that many students on campus view her as a maternal figure, and she plays that role happily.  

“I always tell [students] to come back to see me. Don’t forget me!” Besses said.

Evidently, being humble is engrained in Ms. Evon’s character. She was uncomfortable talking about her own success, leadership, and lovability. Instead, she would spin answers back to how wonderful her coworkers are time and time again.

“I love what I do, and you know I love my coworkers … I would like to thank my supervisors and managers for sticking by me all these years,” Besses said.

In 40 years, Ms. Evon has worked with many combinations of teams. It seems like the common denominator of a friendly culture is her. She rejected the idea of her serving as a leader at Starbucks, as she does not have an official managerial role. However, employees know her to be a consistent and kind coworker who quietly leads by example.  

Starbucks Supervisor Sierra Lewis described Ms. Evon’s substantial contributions and leadership.  

“Ms. Evon is the face of Starbucks to me. She’s been a pleasure since I’ve started here, and she is always a big help. The students love her, the staff love her. She’s just the OG,” Lewis said. 

When I asked Ms. Evon how she has served as a leader, albeit unofficially, Ms. Evon did not know what to say. 

“I don’t even know how to answer that!” Besses said.  

Then, she paused for a moment and thought.  

“People first. I really care about my job. I care about the people that I work for, the students, the staff …  everybody that surrounds me, I care about. I really do,” Besses said. 

Leadership does not always come with a title. Sometimes, it stands behind a Starbucks counter, calling students ‘girlfriend, remembering their names, and offering kindness even on difficult days.  

“She is absolutely a leader,” Lewis said. 

It makes sense that after 40 years at Loyola, Ms. Evon has learned a few things about character.  

“I take the bitter with the sweet,” Besses said.  

She wants students to learn the power of resilience and an optimistic mindset that has gotten her through the highs and lows of life. 

“Don’t stop. You just have to keep going. Keep going and be positive. And reach for the stars,” Besses said. 

That’s been her key to success and happiness.  

“I kept on, girlfriend!”  Besses said.