While enjoying a meal at Allison dining hall, students can’t help but feel welcomed by Mary Flemming’s warm hospitality.
Known on campus as “Ms. Mary,” Flemming is the self-described “Michael Jordan of the Allison staff.” Whether she’s scanning Wildcards, serving food or wiping down counters, Flemming said her mission is to make each guest’s day unique.
“I’m a people’s person,” Flemming said. “My thing is to make you feel welcome. I know you away from home … so I want to treat you how I treat my own kids — with love.”
Born and raised in Chicago, Flemming grew up playing volleyball and basketball and running track. She studied computer science at Mississippi Valley State University, choosing the school because of her mother’s Southern roots.
Flemming’s favorite memory about Mississippi is the friendliness of strangers, a quality she loved so much that she stayed on campus every summer after her sophomore year. Flemming brought her joy with her to Evanston.
After graduating, Flemming supervised breakfast at a small elementary school. She switched from computer science to education, calling herself a “structured big kid.”
Flemming said she remembers challenging her students to use their “inside voices,” rewarding the quietest table with a laundry bag filled with goodies. She aimed to turn her students into the best versions of themselves and proved successful.
“School staff would bring people around to give donations to the school, like Oprah Winfrey,” Flemming said. “Oprah would say, ‘You sure there’s 350 kids downstairs?’ She couldn’t believe that we had 350 kids downstairs eating breakfast as quiet as it was.”
As the oldest of six, Flemming attributes her generous nature to helping her mother care for her siblings. She has always been a caretaker, from teaching her children how to play chess as toddlers to dropping her daughter off at law school.
Flemming holds a similar caretaker role in NU’s community, which she joined in 2020.
Communication freshman Zach Cook met Flemming during his first day at NU. He told her that he wasn’t a morning person, so she wouldn’t be seeing him much. Flemming took this comment to heart and connected with Cook over it.
“Every day she sees me, she’s like, ‘Oh, pleasure to see you again! You made it here another day!’” Cook said. “Love her.”
Flemming does not limit herself to just one role. She previously worked in management but felt guilty every time she delegated roles to her peers. Now, she takes on every responsibility herself: cooking for most meals, greeting every student and cleaning every inch of Allison.
Flemming recently received a surprise visit when an off-campus upperclassman brought her a “Mama Bear” themed cookie. For Flemming, this is not a rare occurrence.
“She’s very friendly with students and always likes to chat with them,” said Zahira Castillo, a coworker of Flemming’s. “We make a good team.”
Flemming loves sharing gifts with students who keep in touch. Last year, she bought 63 gifts for the graduating class. She created a close, personal bond to the students, she said.
While most students know Flemming from Allison, that makes up only half of her job on campus.
“Once I leave here, I go over there (Trienens Performance Center) and work until 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning, where I detail clean,” Flemming said.
As a massive NU sports fan, Flemming strongly supports the teams practicing at Trienens.
She formed strong relationships with both the men’s and women’s basketball teams, the latter of which honored her on Instagram in their Black History Month post this past February.
“When I clean, I de-stress. I put music on and just do my thing,” Flemming said. “And the coaches, the student athletes show me nothing but respect because I treat them how I treat you guys.”
Flemming is also close friends with the players and coaches on the softball team, calling them “the real deal.” She even keeps in touch with former NU basketball star Boo Buie (SESP ’24) and jokes about his NBA contract with him over text.
Known for her positive attitude and uplifting quips, Flemming spreads joy wherever she ventures. She hopes to see more kindness on campus, reflecting what she makes a point to show everyone else.
“This is your kitchen away from home,” Flemming said. “So bring that plate over here, fix yourself a nice plate of food so you can enjoy.”
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
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