It was a dark and stormy Friday evening as I darted down the stairs at South Dining Hall. After quickly picking out my seven points’ worth of snacks at Grab’n’Go – just the appetizer for the Chipotle burrito I would eat later – I enjoyed a short conversation with the friendly lady working the cash register with “Donna” embossed on her nametag. Without further ado I asked her to be my Who’s Who subject, and after demurely objecting for a moment she agreed.
Donna Metz describes herself as a “part country, part city girl.” Born at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, she grew up on her parents’ farm along Highway 30 near Warsaw IN.
“Believe me, we had a long lane to walk down to get to the bus for school,” Donna mused. “During the winter when the lane blew over from drifts of snow, my dad would have to drive through the corn fields to get us to the road!” Geographical hardships aside, Donna has fond memories of caring for the animals, especially the horses, and learning to drive the tractor.
Her family relocated a few times during her adolescent and teenage years, Donna explained, and was not exempt from the characteristic weather patterns of north-central Indiana. She attended Atwood Elementary school and then Talma Middle School – until it got blown away by a tornado. She went on to be a member of the first graduating class of Tippecanoe Valley High School. “Go Vikings!” she added.
Donna earned her general education degree from Indiana University-South Bend campus (IUSB), and went on to earn her associate degree in computer sciences at Purdue University-Fort Wayne campus. Her dream was to become a computer analyst, and she worked several jobs during college to that end.
“My favorite job was at Messenger’s, [which] made calendars, in Auburn as programmer assistant,” she said. Then she “moved back to South Bend and took a programmer analyst position at Johnson Controls as Cobol & RPG programmer. It became apparent to me how computers were going to be the future and how programs put people out of jobs.” She worked there until the company relocated to Mexico.
Donna met her husband at Gospel Center Church in South Bend and they are proud parents. “We have 2 young men now,” Donna shared. “Kyle is attending IUSB for its radiology program and Joshua is finishing high school.” Both work part time at a local pizza company. Anticipating and answering an unspoken question of mine, Donna said that “yes, we enjoy having pizzas but they don’t get them for free!”
A jack of all trades, Donna also worked as a food and product sampler, home daycare operator, library aide, and teacher aide while raising her sons.
“My ten years of working in the school system were rewarding but cutbacks continued to be the issue and I lost my other favorite job as library aide,” she said. “My present full-time position is as a courier for a local company. This provides the salary level to sustain a family.”
Donna finds herself in the position of primary breadwinner because her husband was diagnosed seven years ago with fibromyalgia, a medical condition characterized by chronic widespread pain and heightened sensitivity to pressure.
“The circumstances of my husband losing his job as an engineer due to the diagnosis gave me cause to look for a second part-time position,” she explained. “The fight for disability on behalf of my husband has been a long battle of seven years.”
Her other secondary part-time position, working as a home caregiver to senior citizens, being negatively affected by the economy, Donna applied to be an on-call temporary employee at South Dining Hall.
“I was fortunate that I obtained [the position],” she expressed. “I’m appreciative of the opportunity to help maintain financial stability for my family and grateful for the position at Notre Dame.”
When asked about her favorite job aspect, Donna sang the praises of the Notre Dame community. “The positive attitude of the students and employees shines through at Notre Dame,” she said, “and that inspires me to continue to work at the campus.” When asked about her least favorite job aspect, she voiced a peeve with which many can sympathize: campus traffic.
“The biggest frustration is trying to get to work on game weekends! After being late last Friday evening I’ve found an alternative route on to campus,” she hinted. If only I could be so lucky in my own path-finding endeavors.
Donna’s advice to students is sound.
“Advice is wisdom shared with others to help them in life’s journey,” she counseled. “Talk with a counselor, preacher, grandparents, and parents to gain insight.” She also advocated commitment to family life. “If you choose to be a mom, accept that you will give 110% as you are taking on years of raising children and all the duties that come along with that role.”
“Family and relationships are like glue: they stick together!” Words of true wisdom, from a true family woman. Thank you, Donna, for enhancing the Notre Dame community with your kindness and service!
Michael Bradley is a regular Grab’n’Go customer who is scandalized that bagels cost 2 points. He hopes to make use of his inside connections now to barter for lower prices. Contact him at mbradle6@nd.edu.
