The above quote is from Joshua James Reineke (Class of 2003; Ph.D., 2008). Read the full memory below:

I was fortunate in my first semester at Brown to get the ideal work-study position: evenings and nights at the Rock circulation desk. At the time it was a job that allowed me to study while working, but after staying in that position all five years during my double major at Brown it earned a special place in my heart. Over that time my fellow student workers and the library staff became my family away from home. I can go on with stories about the naked donut deliveries or students being locked in overnight, but there is one night that is clearer in memory than all the others. Whenever the door guard, Al, needed a short break I would fill in to watch students swipe a card to gain access. Usually, I would only glance from my textbook pages long enough to see the light turn green, but there was one student who’s smile caught my eye and I managed to eek out a pathetic, “hi”. Later, while working at the circulation desk, that same attractive young lady came to me to check out books. While I attempted some awkward flirtations, she left the library with me regretting not asking for her phone number. About an hour later my supervisor, Sharon, said she thought I had a call. The caller asked for the tall blonde at the desk and I was the only person fitting the description. We met up at Josiah’s when my shift was over at the Rock for our first date and we continue to be inseparable for the 15 years since. The Rock staff continued to be a part of our family and below is a picture of Sharon holding our daughter (now 9 years old!) on a family visit to the Rock.