“Everyone has been so warm and welcoming. This is going to be a great experience, I can already tell,” said Joy Hirdler, Union’s new controller overseeing accounting operations. “My team runs the day to day accounting for the entire campus, working on budget issues and helping with questions or projects across campus.”
Joy came to Union with her family from Riverside, California, where she previously worked as the accounting manager at Loma Linda University. Joy’s family has roots in the Midwest, and her daughter, McKenzie, is a sophomore biomedical science major here. “One thing led to another and the Lord opened the doors to come here to Union,” Joy said. “I’ve been in higher education for quite a few years now, and I’ve just been so impressed by Union and everyone here who I’ve had the opportunity to work with.”
Joy and McKenzie are both vegan, and they enjoy finding places that serve good vegan food. They’ve found some good places in the area, such as Rutabagas in Lincoln and Modern Love in Omaha. Joy especially likes the peanut butter chocolate flavor at 402 Creamery south of Union. In addition to maintaining her health through her diet, Joy also is a runner and tries to get her exercise in the morning before she comes to work.
“In my core I’m just a believer who’s on the journey to making sure that we can provide an atmosphere professionally and personally where the eternal outcome is at the forefront,” Joy said. “I’m so excited for Union and the fact that we’re bringing Christian education, especially Adventist education, to the next generation. I think that’s just so important as we get closer and closer to the Lord’s coming.”
By Maria Kercher, senior communication major