For the next feature in our “Unsung Heroes of Wheaton” series, we chose Sungsook Charpentier, one of the many underappreciated custodians on campus. Many of you will know her as the cheery woman who gives out candy in the Madeleine Clark Wallace Library, or gave, rather, as her shift was recently switched over to the Mars Science Center to allow her to work better hours.
I first met Sungsook last fall while I was working the graveyard shift (8pm – midnight) on Sundays at the library. For most of those four hours, she would be the only other person in the library besides myself. This gave us plenty of time to get to know each other and for me to really start to see what a delightfully funny and kind person she was. While I was working a 4am-8am shift during finals week last winter, all while battling off the combined side effects of the COVID Booster, Flu Shot, and a mild cold, she unlocked the library kitchen for me so I could microwave a mug cake, the first food I had eaten in days. This was, and I mean this earnestly, one of the kindest things anyone has ever done for me.
I sat down with Sungsook in a biology classroom during her twenty-minute lunch break, where she not only brought homemade Korean food for herself, but for me and the Wire staff as well. She was delighted to show me a large green tupperware filled with wonderfully made fried rice with ground beef, tofu, fresh carrots, garlic, onions, sesame oil and sea salt. Earlier this semester, during her last days working at the library, she also made vegetable fried rice for the library staff, myself included. Both were mouth-wateringly delicious, by the way.
John Morris: How long have you worked at Wheaton?
Sungsook Charpentier: Five years. Last August, on the 28th, was five years. So five years and a couple months.
John Morris: Would you say you like working here at Wheaton?
Sungsook Charpentier: I love it. I love it! That’s why I look so happy all the time for you guys! That’s why I make you guys food! I love it!
John Morris: And we all love you. Everybody I know who’s met you or has gotten candy from you all loves you and they all talk about you as a highlight of their day and somebody really nice they know on campus. I think you’ve touched a lot of people with your generosity and your kindness.
Sungsook Charpentier: Thank you so much! Sometimes I don’t even know the people, I just give them the candy. Sometimes I know them, sometimes I don’t. Two days ago, some lady came up to me and said, “Hey Sungsook, you’re not at the library anymore?” and I said “I’m not there anymore. I’m not working up there no more”. She said “I miss you,” and I said, “I miss you too. I understand, but I’ve moved here now.”
Sungsook worked the third shift at the library for three years, which meant that as much as I dreaded being there until midnight one night a week, she was there cleaning until much later than that multiple times a week. As I mentioned, earlier this year she was able to switch to an earlier shift at the Mars Science Center, meaning she wouldn’t have to work so late, something she’s very excited about.
Sungsook Charpentier: I was working the third shift up there. I can’t sleep. I had passed out a couple times already. Almost. (Laughs) I almost got into two car accidents. I can’t do that anymore. Three years! I worked there for three years!
John Morris: Do you like working here more than the library?
Sungsook Charpentier: Of course!
John Morris: Is it just the hours, or…
Sungsook Charpentier: Yeah, it’s just the hours.
John Morris: You’ve cooked a lovely meal for the Wire staff, and you made us fried rice when you were leaving the library. Do you enjoy cooking?
Sungsook Charpentier: I looooooove to cook! I cooked for my son when he was growing up. He said to me, “Ma, I love your cooking.”
John Morris: What’s your favorite thing to cook? What do you enjoy cooking the most?
Sungsook Charpentier: Everything.
John Morris: Everything.
Sungsook Charpentier: I enjoy everything but pork. I don’t eat pork. Sometimes, I don’t like some fish, but I cook with it a lot when I’m making Korean food.
John Morris: So, South Korean cuisine is your speciality?
Sungsook Charpentier: Yes, this is my food. Kimchi, I always make kimchi. Yesterday, I gave some to two people. They loved it and one of them asked me, “can you teach me?” I told them that “I wish I could teach you, but there’s no time. It would be too hard”.
John Morris: What was the first job you ever worked?
Sungsook Charpentier: My first job was in a nursing home. Lots of old ladies, old guys.
John Morris: Not as fun as college kids?
Sungsook Charpentier: No, no, I love everybody. Sometimes, the people I meet here are so sad. But that’s okay, I can pray for them. Everybody’s different, you know what I mean? Sometimes I find people crying, and I tell them “I’m so sorry” and I give them some candy.
John Morris: Here at Wheaton?
Sungsook Charpentier: Yeah, here. At the library, I would find people crying in the bathroom. When they came out, I would ask them if you wanted some candy and then they’d be happy.
John Morris: Like I’ve said, you’ve touched a lot of people here. A lot of people really love you.
Sungsook Charpentier: I love these people. I feel like you guys are my sons and daughters. Really. God touched my heart when he gave me this job, and I said “Thank you God.”
John Morris: Do you feel at home here? Do you feel like you’re a part of the Wheaton community?
Sungsook Charpentier: This is my second house! When I first got here, the first thing I cleaned was the break room, so I could use it for my lunch time or break time, because this is my second house.
John Morris: Do you have a message for the students at Wheaton?
Sungsook Charpentier: A message? Just respect. Treat each other with respect. And smiling. Talking is good. I like it when everybody says “hi” to each other, you know what I mean? When someone needs help, I help them. Respect. That’s my style.
John Morris: I think a lot of people could learn from you.
Sungsook Charpentier: Yes. Yesterday, my son said, “Ma, thank you so much. You’ve taught me everything. I appreciate you. I love you,” and I told him I loved him too.
John Morris: It’s all about respect.
Sungsook Charpentier: Yes, some people don’t understand though. To them I say: step back. It may take a few hours or a couple days, but it will be better.
John Morris: You learn over time.
Sungsook Charpentier: Yes. You guys teach me a lot too.
John Morris: Oh yeah? What have you learned from Wheaton students?
Sungsook Charpentier: Lots of high level stuff. People show me what they’re working on. It’s really exciting. I’m in classes two times a week learning English. I’m studying speaking, writing, and reading. So I’m learning a lot. Today I canceled on my teacher to hang out with my son, since he’s visiting right now. I had to make food too.
John Morris: You’re a very busy woman. Were you born in South Korea?
Sungsook Charpentier: Yes, in Seoul. I’ve been here 24 years.
John Morris: What are you looking forward to right now?
Sungsook Charpentier: I don’t know. I wanna open up a restaurant. I’d love to open up a restaurant.
John Morris: Wow!
Sungsook Charpentier: I have to think about it. We’ll see.
John Morris: Would you be making Korean food?
Sungsook Charpentier: Yes! Of course! Have you ever had dumplings? I make the best dumplings! Next time, I’ll make you dumplings. I promise you.
John Morris: If you opened a Korean restaurant, I promise you all the Wheaton kids are coming.
Sungsook Charpentier: It may be too far from here.
John Morris: At the very least, I’m coming. I promise.
Sungsook Charpentier: Oh, thank you so much, John. We’ll see. Maybe I’ll do a food truck.
John Morris: Oh, that would be so cool.
Sungsook Charpentier. I don’t know, maybe. I don’t know. I’ll think about it.
I wish I could include the whole interview, with all of its jokes and laughter, but unfortunately, I am only allowed so much space to write. I cannot overemphasize just how funny and wonderful of a person Sungsook is, and how she, like our entire custodial staff, works very hard to make this campus clean. So, if you see her in the science center, say hi, ask her how her day is going—I’ve found it’s always worth it. We’re all a part of the same little circle of people who spend most of our time here at Wheaton, we might as well get to know each other, and like Sungsook said, make sure to treat each other with respect.