On the Christopher Newport University campus, the two dining halls, Commons and Regattas, are a hub of activity for every student across the campus. Yet a distinctive characteristic that separates the two is a worker by the name of Dana Vincent Dudley. Dudley is the grinning face of one of Regattas managers that greets every student with a bright and shining force of joy.
Dudley has affected many lives in a positive way during his six years working at Regattas. This is made clear by the way that every student who walks past greets him with a smile that he returns brightly and filled with enthusiasm. Dudley always asks students about things happening in their lives and also remembers which students have practice, who has been injured and getting excited for them when they recover. When he began working here at CNU, he immediately felt as though the campus and the student body welcomed him with open arms.
For a while Dana worked a second job outside of CNU as a martial arts trainer. However, he expressed that while he finds joy in martial arts and athletics, he was brought down by the job just as often as he was brought up. Working at Regs however, he admitted, brought him up far more.
That being said, Dudley did not have to give up his love of athletics when working here. Senior Hanna Cecil connected with Dudley when she was a freshman over a dance competition he judged. Dana has helped judge many dance competitions at CNU, including Stroll, Unleashed and Best Dance Crew, as well as taking up a post as being the sideline coach to the girls basketball team, who’s opening game was Jan. 18.
From the moment you enter Regattas, (or Regs as students across campus refer to it), Dudley shows you how much he cares for every student he sees, whether that be by asking about the hobbies he knows they participate in, or by giving you a compliment that brings light to your day. The care that Dudley expresses to the students that he greets goes above and beyond, allowing him to connect to many of them.
Dudley works Sunday through Wednesday and often for twelve or more hours. This could easily cause exhaustion as well as losing the love for their job for almost anyone, but not Dana Dudley. No matter how many days he works, he still greets every student with such love, care and compassion; his light never dwindling.
Dudley recently lost his parents a few months ago, which was heartbreaking for the person who is so often a beacon of light for everyone. The campus rallied around him, returning the love and compassion that he spreads to every student. When asked how he remains so positive in a world so dim and challenging, he responded bittersweetly, “I had great parents.”
After facing continuous issues in regards to their disabilities, Kaitlyn Snell, a freshman at CNU who utilizes a wheelchair, expressed great gratitude that Dana had her back when she faced mistreatment from a different Regs worker. In Snell’s experience, Dudley has always been helpful and supportive in regards to her disabilities and the accommodations that are needed for her to comfortably utilize Regattas.
Despite being told by many different students countless times that he has impacted their lives so greatly, he continues to find himself bashful at the idea that he could have impacted so many peoples lives for the better. Dudley expressed that he feels as though he has connected or interacted with every student across campus, and it shows. Throughout this interview, several students walked by him and exchanged fistbumps and waves, with some even talking to him the same way as they would with a close friend. Dudley added that he misses every single student that comes through and graduates beyond the halls of CNU, saying he wishes that they would never have to leave.
Dudley at his core is one of the hearts of the CNU community who provides light and comfort for every student. He helps advocate for all students, offering care and love to everyone no matter what. It’s no secret that he has touched the lives of nearly every student on campus. It seems as though almost every student has a positive story to share about the shining man who greets them as they enter regattas.
