MILLIE SLAUGHTER …honored for service to university Millie Slaughter, assistant director of the Office of International Student Services at Texas A&M University Kingsville, has been named a “Bringer of Light” by the campus group Servants of Las Luminarias.

An anonymous collection of campus community members, the Servants of Las Luminarias select those that they feel are “bringers of the light of the knowledge of goodness to the Texas A&M University-Kingsville campus community.”

As an honoree, Slaughter received a ceramic “luminaria,” or large ornamental candle holder, a chrysanthemum and a framed certificate of recognition. The certificate states that Slaughter had, through word and deed, “selflessly and consistently shone the light of goodness into our midst.”

“When I came in, I saw what I thought was a crown,” said Slaughter. “I got closer and saw the beautiful luminaria with the flowers inside it—flowers that matched the shirt I had on, by the way.

Slaughter wasn’t familiar with the award beforehand, but after reading the certificate of recognition, she said it made her day, and probably her whole semester.

“The certificate that came with it made me tearyeyed. I put it on my wall right away”

Slaughter has worked in the university for more than 22 years total. She started as a secretary with testing and international student services, and found herself becoming more involved with the students she was serving almost immediately.

“At the time, the office was run by student workers. Sometimes those student workers wouldn’t be able to come in, due to class, and I would have to tell the international students that there was no one there to help them. I hated doing that, so I learned the job and the office to save the international students from having to make another trip back.”

The office changed and grew through the years, as did Slaughter’s role. She served as an immigration specialist and a coordinator before assuming her position of assistant director.

Slaughter was there when a shuttle service began for international students. “The shuttle service was just me and a student worker at first, taking international students to the bank, to get school supplies at Wal- Mart. Later, we started helping them find furniture. We tailored our services to meet the needs of the students.”

When asked what the most satisfying part of her job is, the students was the first and only answer that came out. “Getting to know the international students, you learn about their culture, the hardships they faced, their values. I’ve gained a deep appreciation for who they are, and I appreciate all that I have more than ever. I felt like I spent money so frivolously before, because I’ve seen international students manage their money so well, and often plan for supporting their entire family after they earn their degree.

“I think I’ve learned more from them than they’ve learned from me.”

Slaughter said the relationship with the international students often lasts long after graduation. She maintains contact with many of her former students, receiving wedding notices, baby announcements and regular phone calls for years. Slaughter said that former students’ family members also get in touch with her, asking questions on behalf of siblings and relatives applying for school or moving to the country.

“The job can get busy, but I love getting to know students and understanding their needs. We’re there to listen, and we’re there for them to lean on when they need to.”

Slaughter has been married for 30 years to husband Wesley, whom she met at a Kingsville dance hall. They have one child, daughter Sheila, who works as a teacher at H.M. King High School.

In addition to a full-time position that often goes beyond the typical 40 hour work week, Slaughter and her husband help on site for national testing for students. Slaughter also managed to earn a bachelor’s degree online in 20 months while working at the university.